Background. Non-attendance in general practice has received increasing attention over the past few years. Its relationship with access to health care has been recognized. Missed appointments have serious clinical and economic consequences.
Study objectives: This study aims to identify the reasons for missing appointments in general clinics in Alwazarat health care center during the period from December 2010 to March 2011.
Methods: All eligible patients who missed appointments to general clinics, in Alwazarat center and controls who show up for their appointment, were enrolled in the study using quasi-randomization for sample selection. On the same day of missing the appointment three clerks were assigned by the doctor in-charge of the center to assist in data collection. A structured phone interview was conducted with patients enrolled in the study and the control group using a validated questionnaire.
Results: The demographic factors associated with missing appointments were: female gender, younger age group and poor socioeconomic status. The important top five causes for missing appointments were: difficulty booking an appointment, work commitment, long distance travel, unavailability of transportation, visiting another health care facility. Among the group who missed appointment, the impact of missing appointment on health care service was unknown.
Conclusion: Knowledge of the factors that are associated with missed appointments facilitates the prospective identification of patients at risk of missing appointment and helps the continuous quality improvement for future planning which may include program modifications, and formulation of strategies to reduce the risk and rate of non-attendance.
Key words: Missed appointments, Primary health care, Saudi Arabia.
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