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Non-attendance in general practice: a questionnaire survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2006

William Hamilton ,
Manjo Luthra ,
Timothy Smith  and
Philip Evans
William Hamilton
Affiliation:
Barnfield Hill Surgery, Exeter, UK
Manjo Luthra
Affiliation:
St Leonard's Research Practice, Exeter, UK
Timothy Smith
Affiliation:
St Leonard's Research Practice, Exeter, UK
Philip Evans
Affiliation:
St Leonard's Research Practice, Exeter, UK
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Abstract

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Non-attendance in general practice is increasing. In contrast to hospital non-attendance little research has been undertaken on the topic. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of non-attending patients and to determine the reasons for general practice non-attendance, so that strategies to reduce it could be devised. Four hundred and ninety-three consecutive non-attenders from five practices in Exeter, Devon were studied. A questionnaire was sent enquiring about the reasons behind the patient's non-attendance and possible strategies to reduce future non-attendances. Of 17 264 appointments 493 (3.9%) were not attended. Females accounted for 278 (56.4%) of the non-attenders. The highest number of non-attenders was in the age group 25–44 years. One hundred and seventy-four (35%) responded to the questionnaire, of whom 60 (35% of responders) had forgotten the appointment. Strategies to reduce general practice non-attendance should focus on assisting the patient to remember the appointment.

Keywords

non-attendanceprimary carequestionnaire survey
Type
Original Article
Information
Primary Health Care Research & Development , Volume 3 , Issue 4 , October 2002 , pp. 226 - 230
Copyright
2002 Arnold