OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of patient-chosen appointment reminder methods (phone call, e-mail, or SMS text) in reducing no-show rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective case study that determined the correlation between patient-chosen appointment reminder methods and no-show rates in a private orthodontic practice. This study was conducted in a single office location of a multioffice private orthodontic practice using data gathered in 2015. The subjects were patients who self-selected the appointment reminder method (phone call, e-mail, or SMS text). Patient appointment data were collected over a 6-month period. Patient attendance was analyzed with descriptive statistics to determine any significant differences among patient-chosen reminder methods. RESULTS: There was a total of 1193 appointments with an average no-show rate of 2.43% across the three reminder methods. No statistically significant differences ( P = .569) were observed in the no-show rates between the three methods: phone call (3.49%), e-mail (2.68%), and SMS text (1.90%). CONCLUSIONS: The electronic appointment reminder methods (SMS text and e-mail) had lower no-show rates compared with the phone call method, with SMS text having the lowest no-show rate of 1.90%. However, since no significant differences were observed between the three patient-chosen reminder methods, providers may want to allow patients to choose their reminder method to decrease no-shows.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of patient-chosen appointment reminder methods (phone call, e-mail, or SMS text) in reducing no-show rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective case study that determined the correlation between patient-chosen appointment reminder methods and no-show rates in a private orthodontic practice. This study was conducted in a single office location of a multioffice private orthodontic practice using data gathered in 2015. The subjects were patients who self-selected the appointment reminder method (phone call, e-mail, or SMS text). Patient appointment data were collected over a 6-month period. Patient attendance was analyzed with descriptive statistics to determine any significant differences among patient-chosen reminder methods. RESULTS: There was a total of 1193 appointments with an average no-show rate of 2.43% across the three reminder methods. No statistically significant differences ( P = .569) were observed in the no-show rates between the three methods: phone call (3.49%), e-mail (2.68%), and SMS text (1.90%). CONCLUSIONS: The electronic appointment reminder methods (SMS text and e-mail) had lower no-show rates compared with the phone call method, with SMS text having the lowest no-show rate of 1.90%. However, since no significant differences were observed between the three patient-chosen reminder methods, providers may want to allow patients to choose their reminder method to decrease no-shows.
Authors: Travis M Nelson; Joel H Berg; Janice F Bell; Penelope J Leggott; Ana Lucia Seminario Journal: J Am Dent Assoc Date: 2011-04 Impact factor: 3.634
Authors: Sarah Abu Arqub; Rebecca Voldman; Ahmad Ahmida; Chia-Ling Kuo; Lucas Da Cunha Godoy; Yousef Nasrawi; Susan N Al-Khateeb; Flavio Uribe Journal: Prog Orthod Date: 2021-06-08 Impact factor: 2.750
Authors: Mina Fransawy Alkomos; Dianelys Mendez; Diana Mazzei-Pifano; Fady Shafeek; Carla Rodriguez; Farisa Ali; Chelsea Banks; Gabriel Melki; Patrick Michael Journal: J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect Date: 2020-09-03