[Analysis of the patients who missed their appointments at the neurology clinic of the Marina Alta].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the frequency, reasons and characteristics of patients who missed their appointments (NP) at the Neurology Clinic (CEN). To compare the characteristics of the NP with the patients who did not miss their appointment. Suggest measures to reduce avoidable causes of NP.


METHODS
During the period 1/10/99 to 30/4/2000 the cases of NP were prospectively recorded and compared with a sample of patients who attended the CEN during the same period. We analyze the data on age, sex, distance of home from CEN, diagnosis, type of consultation and date of last consultation. The NP were contacted by phone and asked why they had not gone for their appointments. The reasons given were then classified as avoidable or unavoidable.


RESULTS
Of the 1,842 consultations scheduled, 19% were NP. When the NP and the patients who did attend were compared we found statistically significant differences regarding the distance home/CEN. According to the diagnosis, the NP had more 'symptoms/signs' and other MIA, whilst those who attended the clinic had more 'neuropathies' and 'awaiting diagnosis'. The commonest avoidable reasons (55.8%) for NP were forgetting, administrative error and communication failure, and for unavoidable reasons (44.2%) physical disability, other priorities and improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a large proportion of NP in the CEN of the Marina Alta. The distance from home to CEN (over 25 km) was the main factor affecting the rate of NP. Since 56% of the NP were due to avoidable causes, strategies could be designed to reduce this percentage. In the NP group, the main causes were forgetting, administrative errors and communication failure.
Morera-Guitart
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Unidad de Neurología; Hospital Marina Alta, Denia, España. jmorerag@meditex.es
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D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D009462:Neurology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain