title: Danish patients are positive towards fees for non-attendance in public hospitals. A qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients' non-attendance is a significant problem in modern healthcare. Non-attendance delays treatment, reduces efficiency and increases healthcare costs. For several years, the introduction of financial incentives such as a non-attendance fee has been discussed in Denmark. Set in the context of a tax-financed, free-for-all healthcare system, the political hesitance to introduce fees relates to concerns that additional fees may be badly received by tax-paying citizens and may undermine the political priority of patient equity. The aim of this qualitative sub-study was to investigate patients' attitudes towards a fee for non-attendance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 44 patients who had been informed about being charged a fee for non-attendance. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, patients' attitudes towards the non-attendance fee were positive. Non-attendance was viewed as evidence of disregard for the common free-for-all healthcare, and a fee was expected to motivate non-attendees to show up. However, most patients argued that certain groups (e.g. the mentally disabled) should be exempted from the fee. Furthermore, an implementation of fees should be easy to manage administratively and should not increase bureaucracy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, patients' attitudes towards implementing non-attendance fees are positive.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Danish Regions, Ministry of Health and Central Denmark Region.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: stina.lou@stab.rm.dk.
authors.forename: Stina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frumer
authors.forename: Steen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olesen
authors.forename: Agnete Hedemann
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Væggemose
mesh_terms: D003718:Denmark; D005249:Fees and Charges / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000639:trends*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires