Effectiveness of computer-generated telephone messages in increasing clinic visits.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of computer-generated telephone reminder calls in increasing kept appointment rates in a public health setting.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Public health clinic, Georgia.


METHODS
Five hundred seventeen clients with scheduled appointments during a 4-week period at immunization, women, infant, and children; well-child; or family-planning programs.


METHODS
A single computer-generated telephone reminder 1 day before each client's scheduled appointment.


METHODS
Rates of kept appointments.


RESULTS
Of the 277 clients assigned to receive the intervention, 144 (52%) kept their appointments, compared with only 78 (32.5%) of 240 who were not assigned to receive a message (P < .05). Improvement in kept appointment rates associated with receiving the message was highest for the immunization-program (183% increase, P < .05), with increases of 64%, 53%, and 44% for the well-child; women, infant, and children; and family-planning programs, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a simple and effective method to increase kept appointment rates in a variety of public health programs.
Dini
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National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga, USA.
Linkins
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Chaney
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D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003201:Computers; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D013689:Telephone; D014481:United States