Non-attendance in a secondary paediatric referral centre.

INTRODUCTION: Non-attendance in outpatient clinics may be associated with risks to patients' health, disturb the management of clinics and cause a waste of healthcare resources. The aim of the present study was to measure the non-attendance rate in a secondary paediatric outpatient centre and to assess reasons for non-attendance.

METHODS: Non-attendance in children and adolescents aged 0-19 years were recorded prospectively during a year. In a telephone interview, the families of non-attending patients were asked about their reasons for non-attending.

RESULTS: The number of scheduled attendances in 1,466 patients was 4,566. A total of 196 non-attendances (4.3%) were recorded in 167 patients (11.4%); 129 were boys (77.2%), 38 girls (22.8%). Patients aged 10-19 years had a higher frequency of non-attendance than patients in the 0-9-year age group (16% (115/715) versus 7% (52/751), respectively, p < 0.001). A total of 110 families (65.9%) stated that the reason for their non-attendance was that they had forgotten the appointment; 19 (11.4%) said that the family had decided not to show up because they had considered that their child had recovered.

CONCLUSIONS: The non-attendance rate in the secondary paediatric referral centre studied was low. The majority of non-attendance may be explained by forgetfulness.

FUNDING: none.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.