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. 2008 Oct-Dec;31(4):290-302.
doi: 10.1097/01.JAC.0000336549.60298.1d.

Relationship of scheduling interval to missed and cancelled clinic appointments

Jeff Whittle  1 , Gordon Schectman, Na Lu, Bill Baar, Michael F Mayo-Smith
Affiliations

Relationship of scheduling interval to missed and cancelled clinic appointments

Jeff Whittle et al. J Ambul Care Manage. 2008 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

Background: The interval between when a clinical appointment is created and when it occurs may affect the rate of missed and cancelled appointments, affecting access and loss to follow-up, key component of quality.

Methods: We examined this relationship in various clinic types across Veterans Health Administration clinics nationwide.

Results: As the interval increased, the missed appointment rate increased from 12.0% at day 1 to 20.3% at day 13, then remained constant. Cancellation rates increased steadily from 19% during month 1 to 50% by month 12.

Conclusions: Scheduling interval has a modest effect on missed appointment rates but a large effect on cancellation rates.

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