Question

At a dental clinic, in the past, patients can walk in to see the dentist. Both inter-arrival time and service time by the dentist are random. It is also observed that arrival rate is smaller than the service rate. Now the clinic has implemented an appointment system with a constant time slot length for each patient. As a result, assuming that all patients arrive on time, the time between the arrival of two consecutive patients is a constant. Suppose that the overall arrival rate of patients is the same as before, and so is the service time distribution by the dentist.

Under the current situation with the appointment system, how does the average patient waiting time change?

It is shorter than before.

It is the same as before

Cannot be determined

It is longer than before

Answer 1

ANSWER: There is shorter time than before

Given that

• At a dental clinic, in the past, patients can walk in to see the dentist. Both inter-arrival time and service time by the dentist are random. It is also observed that arrival rate is smaller than the service rate.
• Now the clinic has implemented an appointment system with a constant time slot length for each patient. As a result, assuming that all patients arrive on time, the time between the arrival of two consecutive patients is a constant. Suppose that the overall arrival rate of patients is the same as before, and so is the service time distribution by the dentist.

The current situation with the appointment system, the average patient waiting time change will be as fallows:

CLARIFICATION:

• The normal patient holding up time is shorter than previously, in light of the fact that every patient have fixed schedule opening and it is plainly referenced that successive patient appearance time is steady.
• So there will be less patient holding up in the sitting area