Predictors of compliance after hospitalization

To determine compliance with outpatient evaluation after hospitalization and identify factors that predict postdischarge noncompliance, the charts of 449 patients discharged from the medical service of a university hospital during a 1-month period were reviewed. Those with studies scheduled following discharge were identified and compliance rates determined based on type of study, age, sex, race, and financial classification. Results were subjected to chi-square analysis using 95% confidence intervals. Of the 449 charts reviewed, 48 patients (10.7%) were identified with 59 outpatient studies scheduled. Thirty-one (64.6%) patients underwent their evaluations as scheduled. Thirty-eight (64.4%) of the scheduled studies were completed. Lower compliance rates were found in patients younger than 40, females, blacks, and Medicaid patients, but none of the differences reached statistical significance. As economic pressure continues to move health care to the outpatient setting, patient compliance is becoming an increasingly important factor in the delivery of cost-effective health care. Therefore, identifying accurate predictors of compliance is equally important. Based on the findings of this study, age, sex, race, and financial classification cannot be used as accurate predictors of compliance.