This is something I have struggled with as well. I haven't had to close as of yet. My one specialist has office hours once a month at a clinic across the city that I see him at. I have not seen my family Dr. since I opened. We are going to plan another pregnancy so I need to figure something out. I have been high risk for my other pregnancies because of a preexisting condition so that typically means more Dr. appts.

I have been thinking about hiring someone to cover me while I am gone. The staff at my daughter's before and after care program have split shifts (they come in for the hour in the morning and then have to find something to do until 3 when their shift starts again and the school is across the road) and I have thought about hiring one of them but then this may make things difficult if things don't work out.

Most people I think open later or close early as you have suggested