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PubMed · 9249841

Appointment scheduling on computer.

A D Mercando
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Abstract

The program is well-written, intuitive, and easy to use once initial data, such as the available appointment slots, has been entered. While the effort may not seem worthwhile initially, the ability to access an office appointment book from several locations simultaneously and the reporting capabilities of the software make MEDSched a useful addition to any busy office practice or clinic. Please send your comments and suggestions to me at adm4@columbia.edu.

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Appointments and SchedulesComputersCosts and Cost AnalysisDatabase Management SystemsHumansInformation Storage and RetrievalOffice ManagementSoftwareUser-Computer InterfaceJournal Article

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BibTeXRIS

A D Mercando. 1997. Appointment scheduling on computer.. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-8159.1997.tb03576.x

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PubMed2001

Information given to patients before appointments and its effect on non-attendance rate.

PROBLEM: Wasted outpatient appointments as a result of clinic non-attendance, exacerbating outpatient waiting times. DESIGN: Single centre, prospective, non-randomised, controlled study. BACKGROUND AND SETTING: Diabetes clinic in a district general hospital run by a consultant, one or two diabetes nurse specialists, a dietitian, and a podiatrist. Clinic receives 10-15 new referrals a week in a health district with a population of 340 000. KEY MEASURE FOR IMPROVEMENT: Non-attendance rate in 325 new patients who attended after the intervention compared with 1336 historical controls from the same clinic in the three years before the scheme. STRATEGY FOR CHANGE: Two weeks before their outpatient appointment new patients were sent an information pack telling them when and where to come, where to park, what to bring, who they will see, and what to expect. One week before the appointment they received a supplementary phone call. EFFECTS OF CHANGE: Telling patients what to expect reduced non-attendance rate overall from 15% (201/1336) to 4.6% (15/325), P<0.0001. Non-attendance rate was 7.3% (13/178) in those sent a pack but not phoned and 1.4% (2/147) in those sent a pack and phoned, P=0.01. LESSON LEARNT: Giving new patients detailed information reduces non-attendance to almost 1%.

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Referrals. Electric avenue.

A pilot electronic booking project for outpatient appointments at King's College Hospital, London, has been well received by consultants. But only a minority of practices are taking part--only 24 of the 160 local practices are participating. A considerable culture change is needed to persuade practices to become involved. GPs accustomed to traditional referral letters find electronic referrals a big step. More day-to-day support might encourage GP involvement.

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