Effect on hospital attendance rates of giving patients a copy of their referral letter: randomised controlled trial
- PMID: 10334750
- PMCID: PMC27884
- DOI: 10.1136/bmj.318.7195.1392
Effect on hospital attendance rates of giving patients a copy of their referral letter: randomised controlled trial
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate whether sending patients a copy of their referral letter can reduce non-attendance at outpatient departments.
Design: Blinded randomised controlled trial.
Setting: 13 general practices in Exeter, Devon.
Subjects: 2078 new consultant referrals from 26 doctors.
Main outcome measures: Non-attendance at outpatient departments.
Results: The doctors excluded 117 (5.6%) referrals, and 100 (4.8%) received no appointment. Attendance data were available for 1857 of the 1861 patients sent an appointment (99.8%). The receipt of a copy letter had no effect on the non-attendance rate: copy 50/912 (5.5%) versus control 50/945 (5.3%).
Conclusion: Copy letters are ineffective in reducing non-attendance at outpatient departments.
Comment in
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Non-attendance at outpatients departments. More information was needed for non-UK readers.BMJ. 1999 Oct 23;319(7217):1134; author reply 1135. BMJ. 1999. PMID: 10531118 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
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Non-attendance at outpatients departments. Key messages did not accurately summarise the study.BMJ. 1999 Oct 23;319(7217):1134-5. BMJ. 1999. PMID: 10610148 No abstract available.
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