An Investigation into Patient Non-Attendance and Use of a Short-Message Reminder System at a University Dental Clinic.

摘要: Non-attended appointments in health care facilities create inefficiencies and loss of clinical productivity: teaching hours are reduced, impacting students' ability to meet the competencies necessary for professional registration. The aim this study was assess demographic time-related factors patient non-attendance at a dental school clinic Australia. Appointment data were extracted from management system years 2011 2012. Data included status appointment (attended, cancelled, or failed attend [FTA]) an array factors. Multinomial logistic regression conducted relationships between these status. Attendance rates also compared by year following implementation short message service (SMS) reminder beginning results showed that, 58,622 booked with students during 2012, 68% patients attended, 23% 9% FTA. percentage non-attended (cancelled FTA) differed Females 7% less likely be FTA, those aged 16-24 five times more early morning 18% cancelled With SMS system, odds cancellation 15% higher, but FTAs 14% lower (both statistically significant differences). This found that failing significantly related number Clinical scheduling systems may need take into account decrease lost due patients' missing their appointments.