Initial appointment nonattendance in new child and adolescent psychiatric patients

Abstract

Objective The aims of this study are to explore the initial appointment nonattendance including identification of factors affecting nonattendance in new child and adolescent  psychiatric patients.

Materials and methods This retrospective study was done in all new patients who registered to child and adolescent mental health clinic, Nakhonratchasima Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital during 1st January 2011 to 30th June 2011. Data were collected from medical records by using constructed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were done to describe the initial appointment nonattendance and identify the relating factors.

Results Among 244 new child and adolescent psychiatric patients who registered to the appointment system, the initial appointment nonattendance rate was 20.5%. Average waiting time was 75.3 days. Patients who attended the clinic with teachers without parental company and who live in the urban area carried 4.4 and 3.3 times risk of nonattendance, respectively. The wait time and initial appointment nonattendance did not associate significantly.

Conclusion Initial appointment nonattendance was associated with parental non-involvement, living area. Reminding on appointment, encouraging parental involvement and building alliance between health care provider and school may play important roles in attenuating initial appointment nonattendance.