Abstract
Objectives/Hypothesis: Factors affecting access to healthcare is an expanding area of research. This study seeks to identify factors associated with no-show rates in an academic otolaryngology practice to improve clinical efficiency and patient access to care. Study Design: Retrospective review. Methods: A retrospective review of scheduled clinical appointments from February 1, 2015 to January 30, 2016 at a single academic otolaryngology department was performed. Statistical analysis was completed to examine the association of no-show rates with the following: otolaryngology subspecialty, clinic location (e.g., main campus vs. satellite), patient demographic factors, attending seniority, temporal factors, insurance types, rurality, and visit type. Results: There was an overall no-show rate of 20% for 22,759 scheduled clinic visits. Satellite clinics had the highest no-show rates at 25% (P <.001). New patient visits had the highest no-show rate at 24% (P <.001). Among subspecialties, facial plastic surgery had the lowest no-show rate (12.6%), whereas Pediatrics had the highest (23%) (P <.001). No significant association between gender and no-show rates was observed (P =.29), but patients over 60 years old had the lowest no-show rate (12.7%, P <.0001). Patients with Medicaid (28%), Medicare (15.3%), and commercial insurance (12.9%) had significantly different overall no-show rates (P <.0001). Conclusions: Increased clinic no-show rates are associated with satellite clinics, new patient visits, younger age, and insurance type. No-show rates varied among subspecialties. Further investigation is warranted to assess barriers to appointment compliance and to develop interventions to improve access to care. Level of Evidence: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:626–631, 2018.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 626-631 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Laryngoscope |
Volume | 128 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2017 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.
Keywords
- No-show
- academic otolaryngology
- appointment nonadherence
- insurance status
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology