What type of scheduling allows a health facility to see groups of patients at the same time, rather than individually?

Cluster scheduling is the correct answer, as it is a method used in healthcare facilities to manage appointments more efficiently by grouping similar types of patients to be seen at the same time. This approach allows healthcare providers to streamline processes and improve patient care by scheduling patients based on common needs, such as follow-up visits, diagnostic tests, or specialized treatments.

By clustering appointments, staff can use their time and resources more effectively, as they can prepare in advance for a specific type of patient encounter. This method also helps in minimizing wait times and enhancing the overall patient experience by creating a focused environment for specific types of care.

The other scheduling techniques mentioned operate differently. For instance, open scheduling allows patients to choose their appointment times without predefined slots, leading to less predictability in patient flow. Wave scheduling involves scheduling multiple patients at the same time and then seeing them in the order they arrive, which often leads to variability in wait times. Double booking means scheduling two patients for the same time slot, which can lead to conflicts and can be chaotic if not managed properly. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages, but cluster scheduling specifically focuses on treating groups of patients with similar needs simultaneously.