Nonattendance in obstetrics and gynecology patients.

BACKGROUND: Nonattendance for obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) appointments disrupts medical care and leads to misuse of valuable resources. We investigated factors associated with nonattendance in an outpatient OB/GYN clinic.

METHODS: Nonattendance was examined for a period of 1 year in first-time visitors of an ambulatory OB/GYN clinic. The effects of age, population sector, the treating physician, waiting time, and timing of the appointment on the proportions of nonattendance were assessed. Chi(2) tests and logistic regression were used for simple and multiple regression models.

RESULTS: A total of 8,883 visits were included (median age 36 years). The proportion of nonattendance was 30.1%: 19.9% among rural Jewish, 30.5% in urban Jewish, and 36% in Bedouins (p < 0.001). Nonattendance increased from 26.6% among those waiting up to 1 week to 32.3% among those who waited more than 15 days (p < 0.001) and decreased with age (p < 0.001). A multiple logistic regression model demonstrated that age, population sector and waiting time for an appointment were significantly associated with nonattendance.

CONCLUSION: Nonattendance in OB/GYN patients is independently associated with age, population sector and waiting time for an appointment. It is suggested that various solutions should be carefully introduced assessed regarding routine patient scheduling in OB/GYN clinics.