Benjamin N Hunter1, Brandon Cardon2, Gretchen M Oakley2, Arun Sharma1, Dana L Crosby1. 1. 1 Division of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois. 2. 2 Division of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nonattendance to clinical appointments is a global problem appreciated by clinicians with an ambulatory presence. There are few reports of nonattendance in otolaryngology clinics, and no reports on nonattendance for a single otolaryngology subspecialty. OBJECTIVE: To describe the no-show population in rhinology clinics. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed involving rhinology clinics from 2 academic medical centers in the United States. All patients who either attended their clinic appointment(s) or did not attend without previously cancelling from June 2016 to May 2017 were included. Data collected included patient demographics, appointment status, season and time of visit, insurance status, type of visit (new vs established), and provider seen. RESULTS: There were 2791 clinical appointments evaluated over a 12-month period at 2 rhinology clinics involving 4 fellowship-trained rhinologists. Ninety-two percent of patients kept their appointments, while 8% did not. Sex, season of visit, time of visit (am vs pm), type of visit, provider sex, provider location, or provider's experience (<10 years vs ≥10 years) were not associated with patient's attendance status. Univariate analysis showed that patient's age ≤50 ( P = .001) and primary insurance type ( P < .001) were associated with nonattendance. Medicaid as the primary insurance type was associated with clinic nonattendance. Multivariable analysis showed that age ≤ 50 years, odds ratio (OR) 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-2.30), P = .007, and primary insurance type (Medicaid: OR 3.75 [95% CI 2.58-5.45], P < .001) remained significant predictors of nonattendance. CONCLUSION: Patients younger than 50 years and patients with Medicaid as the primary insurance types are associated with risk of missing rhinology clinic appointments. As a subspecialty, delivery of timely care and clinical efficiency could be improved by interventions directed toward improving attendance among this population.
BACKGROUND: Nonattendance to clinical appointments is a global problem appreciated by clinicians with an ambulatory presence. There are few reports of nonattendance in otolaryngology clinics, and no reports on nonattendance for a single otolaryngology subspecialty. OBJECTIVE: To describe the no-show population in rhinology clinics. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed involving rhinology clinics from 2 academic medical centers in the United States. All patients who either attended their clinic appointment(s) or did not attend without previously cancelling from June 2016 to May 2017 were included. Data collected included patient demographics, appointment status, season and time of visit, insurance status, type of visit (new vs established), and provider seen. RESULTS: There were 2791 clinical appointments evaluated over a 12-month period at 2 rhinology clinics involving 4 fellowship-trained rhinologists. Ninety-two percent of patients kept their appointments, while 8% did not. Sex, season of visit, time of visit (am vs pm), type of visit, provider sex, provider location, or provider's experience (<10 years vs ≥10 years) were not associated with patient's attendance status. Univariate analysis showed that patient's age ≤50 ( P = .001) and primary insurance type ( P < .001) were associated with nonattendance. Medicaid as the primary insurance type was associated with clinic nonattendance. Multivariable analysis showed that age ≤ 50 years, odds ratio (OR) 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-2.30), P = .007, and primary insurance type (Medicaid: OR 3.75 [95% CI 2.58-5.45], P < .001) remained significant predictors of nonattendance. CONCLUSION:Patients younger than 50 years and patients with Medicaid as the primary insurance types are associated with risk of missing rhinology clinic appointments. As a subspecialty, delivery of timely care and clinical efficiency could be improved by interventions directed toward improving attendance among this population.
Authors: Giuseppe Deledda; Niccolò Riccardi; Stefania Gori; Sara Poli; Matteo Giansante; Eleonora Geccherle; Cristina Mazzi; Ronaldo Silva; Nicoletta Desantis; Ambra Mara Giovannetti; Alessandra Solari; Paolo Confalonieri; Licia Grazzi; Elena Sarcletti; Gabriella Biffa; Antonio Di Biagio; Carlo Sestito; Roland Keim; Alida M R Di Gangi Hermis; Mariantonietta Mazzoldi; Alessandro Failo; Anna Scaglione; Naida Faldetta; Patrizia Dorangricchia; Maria Moschetto; Hector Josè Soto Parra; Jennifer Faietti; Anna Di Profio; Stefano Rusconi; Andrea Giacomelli; Fabio Marchioretto; Filippo Alongi; Antonio Marchetta; Giulio Molon; Zeno Bisoffi; Andrea Angheben Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-05 Impact factor: 3.390