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Non-attendance at outpatient clinics at the Regional Hospital, Galway, Ireland
1Department of Geography, University College, Galway, Ireland.
Insights
Patient no-shows at outpatient clinics incur significant travel costs and time, particularly for females and long-term attendees. Addressing patient needs in rural areas is crucial for improving appointment adherence.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Patient Experience
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Non-attendance at outpatient clinics presents a significant challenge in healthcare systems.
- Understanding patient perspectives is vital for optimizing clinic operations and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patient-reported reasons and costs associated with non-attendance at outpatient clinics.
- To identify demographic factors influencing appointment non-attendance.
- To provide recommendations for improving outpatient systems in rural settings.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was administered to outpatients attending general and specialist medical and surgical clinics at a regional hospital.
- Data collected included travel costs, time spent travelling, and patient demographics.
Main Results:
- Substantial travel costs and time are incurred by patients attending outpatient clinics.
- Females, especially married females, face particular difficulties in keeping appointments.
- Non-attendance rates correlate with increased transport costs, though patients often underestimate real travel expenses.
- Long-term attendees exhibit higher rates of non-attendance.
Conclusions:
- Patient non-attendance is linked to significant patient-borne costs and logistical challenges.
- Healthcare system reorganisation in rural areas must consider the needs of dispersed populations.
- Targeted interventions may be necessary to address barriers faced by specific patient groups, such as females and long-term attendees.
Abstract:
This paper examines the issue of non-attendance at outpatient clinics at the Regional Hospital, Galway, from the viewpoint of the patients who include both urban and rural residents. The results of a questionnaire survey of outpatients attending general and specialist medical and surgical clinics illustrate that very substantial costs are incurred and long periods of time are spent travelling by many patients. Females, and married females in particular, experience special difficulty in keeping appointments. Non-attendance increases as the cost of transport increases but many patients seriously underestimate the real cost of travel. Patients who have been attending over long periods of time have the worst record of non-attendance. It is recommended that any reorganisation of hospital outpatient systems in rural areas such as Western Ireland should take account of the particular needs of widely dispersed populations.