The Article in Brief

In some clinics, as many as 45% of patients fail to keep their scheduled appointments. Interviews with patients revealed 3 reasons why they are "no-shows": (1) Some patients are afraid and anxious about the cause of their symptoms, the procedures they might have to undergo, and the bad news that they might receive. (2) Some patients may feel disrespected by the health care system. This includes a sense that health care staff do not respect them, and do not value their time, opinions, and feelings. (3) Some patients do not understand the scheduling system. They may not be aware of the financial impact of missing an appointment and may think that a no-show helps a busy clinic. Medical practices might decrease the number of no-shows by reviewing the amount of time that patients have to wait, helping patients address their medical fears, and considering patients' feelings about personal respect.