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Why do patients with chronic illnesses fail to keep their appointments? A telephone interview
A H Zailinawati1, C J Ng, H Nik-Sherina
1Klinik Keluarga, Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. zailina@nasioncom.net
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
|April 25, 2006
Summary
Patient no-shows impact health and clinic efficiency. This study found 16.7% non-attendance due to forgetfulness, illness, or admin errors, with telephone reminders preferred.
Area of Science:
- Family Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Missed appointments negatively impact patient health outcomes and clinic operational efficiency.
- Understanding non-attendance patterns is crucial for improving healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the rate and identify the primary reasons for missed appointments among patients with chronic illnesses.
- To explore patient preferences for appointment reminders to reduce future no-shows.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a family practice clinic.
- A structured telephone questionnaire was administered to patients who missed scheduled appointments.
- Data were collected from 671 patients over a one-month period in 2004.
Main Results:
- The overall non-attendance rate was 16.7%.
- Factors associated with higher non-attendance included male gender, Indian ethnicity, coronary artery disease, multiple comorbidities (>4), and shorter appointment intervals.
- Key reasons for non-attendance were forgetting appointments (32.9%), feeling unwell (12.3%), administrative errors (19.1%), and work/family commitments (8.2%).
Conclusions:
- Specific patient demographics and clinical factors correlate with higher rates of missed appointments.
- Targeted interventions, such as telephone or letter reminders, can be implemented to mitigate non-attendance.
- Addressing identified reasons for non-attendance can improve patient adherence and clinic efficiency.
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