Urology out-patient non-attenders: are we wasting our time?
BACKGROUND
Out-patient non-attendance leads to inefficiency and patient morbidity.


OBJECTIVE
A phone survey of urology out-patient non-attenders over 1-month was performed to determine reasons for non-attendance, to identify patients who could be discharged, and the manner in which patients want reminders.


RESULTS
Seventy-six non-attenders were contacted. Fourteen were GP referred new patients. The reason for non-attendance (n = 10) was due to patient issues. Of the patients due for review (n = 62), it was a first non-attendance in 56. Only 41 (66%) claimed to have received notification or appointment cards. Eight patients said they were written to and 13 (21%) denied either receiving a written notification or an appointment card. Only eight patients rang to confirm/change their appointment. Ninety-nine percent said that they would like a further appointment by text message (34%), phone (37%), letter (36%) or email (6%).


CONCLUSIONS
We now hope to implement a number of methods to further reduce non-attendance rates based on the findings in this study.
Casey
R G
RG
Adelaide & Meath Hospital, Incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. rowcasey@rcsi.ie
Quinlan
M R
MR
Flynn
R
R
Grainger
R
R
McDermott
T E D
TE
Thornhill
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017010:Reminder Systems; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D014572:Urology