Domiciliary clinics I: effects on non-attendance.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the rate of non-attendance for new referrals to a hospital based clinic versus home assessment.


METHODS
Two old age psychiatry services in an urban area.


METHODS
A four year prospective study comparing rates of non-attendance for new referrals to a hospital based clinic versus assessment at home in two parallel old age psychiatry services.


RESULTS
The rate of non-attendance for new referrals seen at home was considerably lower (1.7%) than the hospital based clinic (21.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
Assessing new outpatient referrals to old age psychiatry services at home reduces non-attendance. This improves efficient use of medical time in a small geographical catchment area but may not apply to rural or larger areas.
D000368:Aged; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data