Reducing appointment no-shows: going from theory to practice

Subst Use Misuse. 2013 Jun;48(9):743-9. doi: 10.3109/10826084.2013.787098. Epub 2013 Apr 22.

Abstract

Addiction appointment no-shows adversely impact clinical outcomes and healthcare productivity. During 2007-2010, 67 treatment organizations in the Strengthening Treatment Access and Retention program were asked to reduce their no-show rates by using practices taken from no-show research and theory. These treatment organizations reduced outpatient no-show rates from 37.4% to 19.9% (p = .000), demonstrated which practices they preferred to implement, and which practices were most effective in reducing no-show rates. This study provides an applied synthesis of addiction treatment no-show research and suggests future directions for no-show research and practice.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Outpatients / psychology
  • Outpatients / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Dropouts / statistics & numerical data*
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / methods*