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Exploring the appointment factors affecting pediatric patients with swallow disorders: Implications for speech and
Jonathan M Carnino1, Henry Bayly2, Amos M Mwaura1
1Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Insights
Pediatric patients with swallowing disorders attended speech and language pathology (SLP) appointments more often when they had a primary care provider (PCP) at the medical center or used telemedicine services.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Feeding and swallowing disorders are increasingly common in children, requiring effective management.
- Speech and language pathology (SLP) services are vital for diagnosing and treating these pediatric conditions.
- Understanding factors influencing appointment attendance is crucial for optimizing care delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors affecting patient attendance at SLP appointments for pediatric swallowing disorders.
- To analyze the impact of demographics, appointment characteristics, and healthcare provider relationships on no-show rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 355 pediatric patients referred to SLP for swallowing concerns at Boston Medical Center.
- Examined variables including age, gender, race, language, appointment time, telemedicine use, PCP affiliation, and prior cancellations.
- Statistical analyses included Chi-Square tests and binary logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Telemedicine appointments and having a primary care provider (PCP) at the medical center were associated with significantly higher attendance rates.
- Appointment time of day and COVID-19 lockdown status did not significantly impact no-shows.
- Previous appointment cancellations increased the likelihood of future no-shows, while referral department, gender, race, and language did not.
Conclusions:
- Having a PCP within the medical center and utilizing telemedicine are key factors for improving attendance in pediatric SLP swallow disorder appointments.
- Strategies to address appointment cancellations are needed to optimize patient adherence.
- Further research should investigate the root causes of missed appointments to enhance SLP service delivery for children.
Introduction:
Feeding and swallowing disorders have become increasingly prevalent among children, necessitating effective management to prevent long-term complications. Speech and language pathology (SLP) services play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating these disorders. The objective of this study was to explore the factors that influence patient attendance to SLP appointments for swallow disorders.
Methods:
This study was conducted at Boston Medical Center, involving 359 pediatric patients referred to SLP for swallow-related concerns. De-identified patient and appointment information was obtained from the electronic medical record. Various factors such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, primary language, appointment date/time, and COVID-19 lockdown status were analyzed to determine their impact on patient no-shows. Statistical analyses, including Chi-Square tests and binary logistic regression, were conducted using appropriate methodologies.
Results:
355 individual patient records were included in the analysis. Lockdown status and appointment time of day did not significantly affect patient no-shows. However, appointments conducted through telemedicine showed a significant difference in attendance. Patient referral department, gender, race, language, and being born at the medical center did not significantly influence patient attendance. Notably, having a primary care provider (PCP) at the medical center significantly affected patient attendance. Furthermore, previous appointment cancellations made a patient more likely to no-show.
Conclusion:
This study provides valuable insights into the factors influencing patient attendance at SLP appointments for pediatric swallowing disorders. Having a PCP at the medical center and utilizing telemedicine appointments were associated with higher attendance rates. Addressing appointment cancellations and investigating underlying reasons behind missed appointments should be prioritized in future research. Understanding these factors will facilitate the development of interventions to optimize patient attendance and improve the delivery of SLP services in pediatric populations.
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