Patient and appointment characteristics associated with no-shows at a multicenter retina ophthalmology practice

To identify factors associated with no-shows in a multicenter retina subspecialty practice.

Cross-sectional study.

Appointments scheduled at a multicenter practice in Fraser Valley, British Columbia, from September 1, 2020, to September 1, 2021.

A query was conducted on appointments scheduled at a multicenter practice in Fraser Valley, British Columbia, from September 1, 2020, to September 1, 2021. Characteristics, including age, sex, commute distance, appointment date and time, and appointment type, were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to assess association with no-show status.

Of 14,597 appointments, 803 (5.50%) were no-shows. Younger age was associated with higher no-show rates (odds ratio [OR] for <30 years vs 30 to <60 years: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.08-1.98; p < 0.001; vs 60 to <90: 2.13; vs ≥90 years: 1.72). Males were more likely to miss appointments than females (OR: 1.43, CI: 1.24-1.67; p < 0.001). No-shows were more frequent in the fall (OR for Fall vs Winter: 1.29, CI: 1.04-1.60; p = 0.018), scheduled in morning (OR for AM vs PM: 1.31, CI: 1.06-1.62; p = 0.013), 6-month follow-ups (OR: 1.69, CI: 1.15-2.48; p = 0.008), returning patient re-referrals (OR: 1.92, CI: 1.11-3.33; p = 0.020), and new patient referrals (OR: 1.76, CI: 1.05-2.97; p = 0.034).

Key factors associated with no-shows include age, sex, appointment timing, and referral type. These findings can inform targeted interventions to reduce no-show rates and enhance health care delivery in retina clinics.