title: Nonattendance in a dermatology clinic--a large sample analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have described factors determining non-attendance at dermatology appointments in small sample sizes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To perform an analysis of factors associated with non-attendance in a dermatology clinic in a larger sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Factors determining non-attendance were examined in 52 604 consecutive first-time visits to a dermatology clinic over a period of 44 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Non-attendance proportion was 27.6%. Among children, non-attendance was associated with waiting for an appointment < 7 days [odds ratio (OR), 1.44], Bedouin sector (OR, 1.30), rural Jewish sector (OR, 0.45) and the treating physician. Among adults, non-attendance was associated with female gender (OR, 1.08), age < 55 years (OR, 1.65), waiting time for an appointment < 7 days (OR, 1.44), timing of the appointment between 1 and 4 pm (OR, 1.13), Bedouin sector (OR, 1.63), rural Jewish sector (OR, 0.46) and the treating physician.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-attendance is common among Bedouins, adult female patients and young adults and is more likely as waiting times become longer. Strategies to reduce non-attendance are needed.
authors.affiliation: Clalit Health Services; and Siaal Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dreiher
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Vardy
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weitzman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003880:Dermatology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies