title: Non-attendance to the paediatric clinics in a Malaysian tertiary hospital: a sizeable problem and identification of an efficacious intervention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the rate, causes and risk factors of non-attendance to the paediatric clinic in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia and to determine the efficacy of one telephone call to confirm a new appointment.
  
  
  METHODS
  For all non-attending patients, during a 2-month period, a pro forma was filled up based on patients' records. During a phone call, additional questions were asked, and a new appointment was offered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1563 patients who had an appointment, 497 (31.8%) were non-attendees. Weather conditions, the sub-specialty and timing (morning or afternoon) had a significant effect on non-attendance. Forgetfulness was the main cause. Only 160 patients could be successfully contacted. Among the contactable patients, 55 already had an appointment, and 10 had reasons not to get a new appointment. Of the 95 remaining patients, 73 (76.8%) attended the new appointment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The non-attendance rate was high. One telephone call had a reasonable efficacy for the contactable patients, but because a high number of patients were not contactable, overall effectiveness was poor.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Department, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohammad Tamim
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.forename: Nik Zainal Abidin Nik
authors.initials: NZ
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Azman Bin
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Zulkifli
authors.forename: Noorizan Abdul
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Majid
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Rostenberghe
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D013689:Telephone