Do 'do not attends' at a genitourinary medicine service matter?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Non-attendance at genitourinary (GU) medicine clinics results in wasted resources.
• Untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among patients who do not attend (DNA) pose a public health risk.
• Understanding DNA patient demographics and reasons for non-attendance is crucial for service improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the demographics and reasons for non-attendance (DNA) in a GU medicine clinic.
• To assess the health outcomes of patients who do not attend appointments.
• To identify effective strategies for reducing DNA rates and improving patient follow-up.

Main Methods:

• Service evaluation of DNA appointments in a GU medicine clinic from October 2008 to March 2009.
• Analysis of DNA rates, patient demographics, and reasons for non-attendance.
• Telephone contact with patients who DNA'd appointments to assess outcomes and re-engagement strategies.

Main Results:

• The DNA rate was 6% (383/6961).
• Telephone contact was successful with 48% (182/383) of patients; 40% cited forgetting the appointment.
• Telephone follow-up increased attendance by 9% but resulted in higher subsequent DNAs (63%).

Conclusions:

• Forgetting appointments is a key reason for non-attendance.
• While telephone contact improves initial attendance, it may lead to further DNAs.
• SMS text messages about walk-in services could be an effective strategy to recapture patients without impacting future appointments.