The Article in Brief

Reduction and Management of No-Shows by Family Medicine Residency Practice Exemplars

Bradley J. Johnson, MD , and colleagues

Background Patients? failure to keep scheduled appointments (?no-shows?) is a significant problem in family medicine residency practices. This study looks at methods used by family medicine residency practices that have low no-show rates or who manage no-shows well when they occur.

What This Study Found It is possible to reduce no-show rates in residency practices to below 10% by using combinations of well-established methods when they are used consistently and effectively. These methods include patient education, patient reminders, patient sanctions, and open-access scheduling. Reducing the impact of no-shows once they occur is best accomplished by increasing the numbers of walk-ins and work-ins.

Implications

• This study contributes to the existing literature on no-shows in primary care residency program practices and may be helpful to those who are struggling with this important challenge.