Study identifies patient characteristics linked with appointment no-shows

Patients who were younger, had a lower socioeconomic status, or Black race had a higher likelihood to no-show at new patient appointments, according to a study. Longer lead times were also associated with a higher likelihood to no-show.

In this cross-sectional study, 4628 patients with new patient appointments scheduled at an eye center were included. Overall, 16.4% (n = 759) of people did not show up for the appointments.

Age, median household income, insurance, race, and commute distance were characteristics associated with no-shows.

Appointments scheduled with glaucoma or retina specialists were also significantly associated with greater no-shows.

The authors hope that these findings may lead to the development of interventions to improve appointment turnout.

Reference
Chiam M, Kunselman A, Chen MC. Characteristics associated with new patient appointment no-shows at an academic ophthalmology department in the United States. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021; DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.020