[A system of efficient appointments for interviewing persons over 65].
OBJECTIVE
To validate an appointment system which leads to a high compliance of people over 65 invited to attend an interview.


METHODS
A descriptive observational study of a crossover type, between February and June 1990.


METHODS
Primary Care; community activity.


METHODS
A representative sample of the population over 65 registered at the Cuenca 1 Health Centre, selected by means of systematic sampling.


RESULTS
Personal letters, signed by the patients' own doctor, to make the appointment. If they did not attend, a second appointment was made by 'phone when possible or by letter if not. The overall reply was 73.79% (221 after the first appointment call and 55 after the second). 8.29% did not wish to carry out the interview; 12.30% were not located; 3.48% were incapacitated and 2.14% had died or were no longer registered at the centre.


CONCLUSIONS
The following all favour the level of response: the personalized invitation, signed by the patient's doctor, stating the day and time; carrying out the interview at their Health Centre or home; and making a second appointment where necessary. At the same time these measures contribute to bringing our records up-to-date.
Oyarzabal
M
M
Dirección de Atención Primaria Insalud, Alicante.
Cebrián
C
C
Escós
C
C
López
R
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain