The association between primary care appointment lengths and opioid prescribing for common pain conditions.

BACKGROUND: While brief duration primary care appointments may improve access, they also limit the time clinicians spend evaluating painful conditions. This study aimed to evaluate whether 15-minute primary care appointments resulted in higher rates of opioid prescribing when compared to ≥ 30-minute appointments. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using electronic health record (EHR), pharmacy, and administrative scheduling data from five primary care practices in Minnesota. Adult patients seen for acute Evaluation & Management visits between 10/1/2015 and 9/30/2017 scheduled for 15-minute appointments were propensity score matched to those scheduled for ≥ 30-minutes. Sub-groups were analyzed to include patients with acute and chronic pain conditions and prior opioid exposure. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the effects of appointment length on the likelihood of an opioid being prescribed, adjusting for covariates including ethnicity, race, sex, marital status, and prior ED visits and hospitalizations for all conditions. RESULTS: We identified 45,471 eligible acute primary care visits during the study period with 2.7% (N = 1233) of the visits scheduled for 15 min and 98.2% (N = 44,238) scheduled for 30 min or longer. Rates of opioid prescribing were significantly lower for opioid naive patients with acute pain scheduled in 15-minute appointments when compared to appointments of 30 min of longer (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.84). There were no significant differences in opioid prescribing among other sub-groups. CONCLUSIONS: For selected indications and for selected patients, shorter duration appointments may not result in greater rates of opioid prescribing for common painful conditions.

Predicting Provider Workload Using Predicted Patient Risk Score and Social Determinants of Health in Primary Care Setting.

BACKGROUND: Provider burnout due to workload is a significant concern in primary care settings. Workload for primary care providers encompasses both scheduled visit care and non-visit care interactions. These interactions are highly influenced by patients' health conditions or acuity, which can be measured by the Adjusted Clinical Group (ACG) score. However, new patients typically have minimal health information beyond social determinants of health (SDOH) to determine ACG score. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess new patient workload by first predicting the ACG score using SDOH, age, and gender and then using this information to estimate the number of appointments (scheduled visit care) and non-visit care interactions. METHODS: Two years of appointment data were collected for patients who had initial appointment requests in the first year and had the ACG score, appointment, and non-visit care counts in the subsequent year. State-of-art machine learning algorithms were employed to predict ACG scores and compared with current baseline estimation. Linear regression models were then used to predict appointments and non-visit care interactions, integrating demographic data, SDOH, and predicted ACG scores. RESULTS: The machine learning methods showed promising results in predicting ACG scores. Besides the decision tree, all other methods performed at least 9% better in accuracy than the baseline approach which had an accuracy of 78%. Incorporating SDOH and predicted ACG scores also significantly improved the prediction for both appointments and non-visit care interactions. The R 2 values increased by 95.2 and 93.8%, respectively. Furthermore, age, smoking tobacco, family history, gender, usage of injection birth control, and ACG were significant factors for determining appointments. SDOH factors such as tobacco usage, physical exercise, education level, and group activities were strongly correlated with non-visit care interactions. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the importance of SDOH and predicted ACG scores in predicting provider workload in primary care settings.

Exploring the usability of simulated patient methodology in dental clinics in Western Australia: A pilot survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the dental staff knowledge of simulated patient methodology and support for its use to investigate dental staffs' triaging ability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Staff at dental practices in Western Australia were invited to participate in a cross-sectional online questionnaire, consisting of demographic questions, questions on triaging, and knowledge of simulated patient methodology. Descriptive and parametric tests were undertaken for quantitative data; qualitative responses were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 100 participants, most were female (71%), aged 25-39 years (57%), dentists (46%), and worked in private practices (60%). While 82% of participants triaged dental appointment enquiries, only 26% had heard of simulated patient studies. The majority (66%) of participants spent 1-5 min when triaging appointments and less than half (29%) asked about medical history, aggravating or alleviating factors. Although there was a general positive attitude toward use of simulated patient methodology to investigate practice, some concerns were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our exploratory study suggests that there may be a potential for utilizing simulated patient studies to improve the care of patients by dental receptionists in general dental practices.

Investigating Patient Use and Experience of Online Appointment Booking in Primary Care: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Online appointment booking is a commonly used tool in several industries. There is limited evidence about the benefits and challenges of using online appointment booking in health care settings. Potential benefits include convenience and the ability to track appointments, although some groups of patients may find it harder to engage with online appointment booking. We sought to understand how patients in England used and experienced online appointment booking. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe and compare the characteristics of patients in relation to their use of online appointment booking in general practice and investigate patients' views regarding online appointment booking arrangements. METHODS: This was a mixed methods study set in English general practice comprising a retrospective analysis of the General Practice Patient Survey (GPPS) and semistructured interviews with patients. Data used in the retrospective analysis comprised responses to the 2018 and 2019 GPPS analyzed using mixed-effects logistic regression. Semistructured interviews with purposively sampled patients from 11 general practices in England explored experiences of and views on online appointment booking. Framework analysis was used to allow for comparison with the findings of the retrospective analysis. RESULTS: The retrospective analysis included 1,327,693 GPPS responders (2018-2019 combined). We conducted 43 interviews with patients with a variety of experiences and awareness of online appointment booking; of these 43 patients, 6 (14%) were from ethnic minority groups. In the retrospective analysis, more patients were aware that online appointment booking was available (581,224/1,288,341, 45.11%) than had experience using it (203,184/1,301,694, 15.61%). There were deprivation gradients for awareness and use and a substantial decline in both awareness and use in patients aged >75 years. For interview participants, age and life stage were factors influencing experiences and perceptions, working patients valued convenience, and older patients preferred to use the telephone. Patients with long-term conditions were more aware of (odds ratio [OR] 1.43, 95% CI 1.41-1.44) and more likely to use (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.63-1.67) online appointment booking. Interview participants with long-term conditions described online appointment booking as useful for routine nonurgent appointments. Patients in deprived areas were clustered in practices with low awareness and use of online appointment booking among GPPS respondents (OR for use 0.65, 95% CI 0.64-0.67). Other key findings included the influence of the availability of appointments online and differences in the registration process for accessing online booking. CONCLUSIONS: Whether and how patients engage with online appointment booking is influenced by the practice with which they are registered, whether they live with long-term conditions, and their deprivation status. These factors should be considered in designing and implementing online appointment booking and have implications for patient engagement with the wider range of online services offered in general practice.

Prescription of HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in emergency care units and return for follow-up appointments in specialized services in Salvador, Brazil, 2018: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) prescription and return for follow-up appointments. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using data on people who sought PEP in emergency care units (UPAs) and specialized medical services in Salvador, BA, Brazil, between January-December/2018. RESULTS: Of the 1,525 people who sought PEP at UPAs, 1,273 (83.5%) met PEP eligibility criteria, while 252 (16.5%) did not; of the eligible group, 1,166 (91.6%) had antiretrovirals prescribed, while 107 (8.4%) eligible people did not; of the total number of people with PEP prescriptions, only 226 (19.4%) returned for the first follow-up appointment, 115 (9.9%) for the second, and 33 (2.8%) for the third in order to complete the protocol. CONCLUSION: We found a significant proportion of eligible users who did not have PEP prescribed at UPAs and a significant loss of return for specialized service follow-up appointments.

The Impact of Changing From a 6+2 to a 3+1 Residency Block Schedule on Patient Access and Other Outcomes.

Background The "X+Y" residency scheduling model includes "X" weeks of uninterrupted inpatient or subspecialty rotations, followed by "Y" week(s) of uninterrupted outpatient rotations. The optimal ratio of X to Y is unclear. Objective Determine the impact of moving from a 6+2 to a 3+1 schedule on patient access to care, perceived quality of care, and resident/faculty satisfaction. Methods Our residency program switched from a 6+2 to a 3+1 scheduling model in July 2018. We measured access to care before and after the change using the "third next available" (TNA) metric. In June 2019, we administered a voluntary, anonymous, 20-item survey to residents, staff, and faculty who worked in resident clinic in both the 6+2 and 3+1 years. Results Patient access to appointments with their resident physician, as measured by TNA, improved significantly after the schedule change (mean 34.1 days in 6+2, mean 26.5 days in 3+1, P<.0001). Fifteen of 17 (88%) eligible residents and 13 of 24 (54%) faculty/staff filled out the voluntary anonymous survey. Surveyed residents and faculty/staff had concordant perception that the schedule change led to improvement in patient continuity, quality of care, and ability of residents to follow up on diagnostic tests and have regular interaction with clinic attendings. However, residents did not report a change in satisfaction with continuity clinic. Conclusions Changing from a 6+2 to a 3+1 schedule was associated with improvement in patient access to care. Residents and faculty/staff perceived that this schedule change improved several aspects of patient care.

Factors Affecting Patients' Atttendance for Periodontal Follow-up Visits after Crown Lengthening Surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess adherence to follow-up maintenance visits among patients who had previously undergone crown-lengthening surgery and investigate the different factors impacting their compliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 314 patients were identified for follow-up appointments. Based on their responses, participants were categorised into four groups: attendees, non-attendees, refusals, and unreachable. Furthermore, data on sociodemographic factors (age, sex, nationality, marital status, education, occupation, and residential area), medical history, dental history (including missing teeth, implants, or orthodontic treatment history), and past appointment attendance (average yearly appointments, missed appointment percentage, and last appointment date) were collected and analysed to understand their influence on patient compliance. RESULTS: In a sample of 314 patients, 102 (32.5%) attended the appointments successfully. Improved attendance rates were significantly associated with being female, Saudi Arabian, married, and employed (p < 0.05). Moreover, patients with a high frequency of annual appointments and a recent history of appointments exhibited better compliance. None of the analysed dental factors affected the attendance rates. CONCLUSION: About one-third of patients who had undergone crown lengthening surgery were compliant with the follow-up visits. Different factors influenced this compliance pattern to varying extents, with more efforts needed to enhance patients' commitment to these visits.

Postpartum Primary Care Engagement Using Default Scheduling and Tailored Messaging: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: More than 30% of pregnant people have at least 1 chronic medical condition, and nearly 20% develop gestational diabetes or pregnancy-related hypertension, increasing the risk of future chronic disease. While these individuals are often monitored closely during pregnancy, they face major barriers when transitioning to primary care following delivery, due in part to a lack of health care support for this transition. Objective: To evaluate the impact of an intervention designed to improve postpartum primary care engagement by reducing patient administrative burden and information gaps. Design, Setting, and Participants: An individual-level randomized clinical trial was conducted from November 3, 2022, to October 11, 2023, at 1 hospital-based and 5 community-based outpatient obstetric clinics affiliated with a large academic medical center. Participants included English- and Spanish-speaking pregnant or recently postpartum adults with obesity, anxiety, depression, diabetes, chronic hypertension, gestational diabetes, or pregnancy-related hypertension and a primary care practitioner (PCP) listed in their electronic health record. Intervention: A behavioral economics-informed intervention bundle, including default scheduling of postpartum PCP appointments and tailored messages. Main Outcome and Measures: Completion of a PCP visit for routine or chronic condition care within 4 months of delivery was the primary outcome, ascertained directly by reviewing the patient's electronic health record approximately 5 months after their estimated due date. Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. Results: A total of 360 patients were randomized (control, 176; intervention, 184). Individuals had a mean (SD) age of 34.1 (4.9) years and median gestational age of 36.3 (IQR, 34.0-38.6) weeks at enrollment. The distribution of self-reported race and ethnicity was 6.8% Asian, 7.4% Black, 68.6% White, and 15.0% multiple races or other. Most participants (75.4%) had anxiety or depression, 16.1% had a chronic or pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder, 19.5% had preexisting or gestational diabetes, and 40.8% had a prepregnancy body mass index of 30 or greater. Medicaid was the primary payer for 21.2% of patients. Primary care practitioner visit completion within 4 months occurred in 22.0% (95% CI, 6.4%-28.8%) of individuals in the control group and 40.0% (95% CI, 33.1%-47.4%) in the intervention group. In regression models accounting for randomization strata, the intervention increased PCP visit completion by 18.7 percentage points (95% CI, 9.1-28.2 percentage points). Intervention participants also had fewer postpartum readmissions (1.7% vs 5.8%) and increased receipt of the following services by a PCP: blood pressure screening (42.8% vs 28.3%), weight assessment (42.8% vs 27.7%), and depression screening (32.8% vs 16.8%). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this randomized clinical trial suggest that the current lack of support for postpartum transitions to primary care is a missed opportunity to improve recently pregnant individual's short- and long-term health. Reducing patient administrative burdens may represent relatively low-resource, high-impact approaches to improving postpartum health and well-being. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05543265.

The experiences of patients with musculoskeletal conditions accessing first contact physiotherapy practitioner appointments in general practice in the UK: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: First Contact Physiotherapy Practitioners (FCPPs) provide expert care for patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in General Practice. Access to FCPPs can facilitate timely care and efficient use of health services. However, there is little evidence about patient experiences of accessing FCPP appointments. OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of patients with MSK conditions who have accessed an FCPP appointment in a General Practice setting in the UK. DESIGN: Exploratory qualitative design. METHODS: Patients with MSK conditions who had experience of accessing FCPP appointments were recruited via social media. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded via MS Teams. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Of 13 patients interviewed, there were 10 females and three males, with an age range between 20 and 80 years. The main themes identified were: (1) Awareness of FCPP, (2) Access routes, (3) Facilitators to access, (4) Barriers to access, (5) Likelihood of re-accessing FCPP. Awareness of FCPP was generally low amongst participants. There were a variety of routes to access FCPP appointments; some were felt to be sub-optimal by participants. Facilitators included quick/easy access to FCPP. Barriers included difficulty contacting General Practitioner (GP) surgeries and public perception of needing to see a GP initially. The likelihood of re-consultation with a FCPP was low when participants had disappointing care experiences. CONCLUSION: This study provides new evidence about patient experiences of accessing FCPP. It explores positive and negative aspects of access from patients' perspectives. It also highlights areas for improvement in terms of GP staff/patient awareness and understanding of FCPP.

Association of Unmet Social Needs With Missed In-Person Urology Clinic Appointments.

INTRODUCTION: Social determinants of health (SDH) are nonbiologic influencers of disease and health care disparities. This study focused on understanding the association between SDH and urology clinic "no-show" visits within a diverse urban population. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients scheduled for urology clinic visits from October 2015 to June 2022 who completed a 10-question social needs screener. For each patient, demographic variables, and number of missed clinic appointments were abstracted. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the association of unmet social needs and no-shows. RESULTS: Of 5761 unique patients seen in clinic, 5293 completed a social needs screener. Respondents were most commonly male (62.8%), Hispanic (50.3%), English-speaking (75.5%), and insured by Medicare (46.0%). Overall, 8.2%, 4.6%, and 6.1% reported 1, 2, and 3+ unmet social needs, respectively. Most patients (61.7%) had 0 no-shows; 38.3% had 1+ no-shows. Between the 0 and 1+ no-show groups, we found significant differences with respect to gender (P =.05), race/ethnicity (P = .002), preferred language (P = .006), insurance payer (P < .001), SDH status (P = .003), and total number of unmet social needs (P = .006). On multivariable analysis, patients concerned about housing quality (odds ratio [OR] = 1.50, P = .002), legal help (OR = 1.53, P = .009), and with 3+ unmet social needs (OR = 1.39, P = .006) were more likely to have 1+ no-shows. CONCLUSIONS: Unmet social needs were associated with increased no-show urology clinic visits. Routine social needs screening could identify at-risk patients who would benefit from services. This may be particularly pertinent for patients with urgent diagnoses or those requiring frequent office visits where missing appointments could impact morbidity and mortality.

Minimisation of dialysis risk in hospital patients with chronic kidney disease (MinDial): study protocol for a multicentre, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Early identification of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and advancing kidney insufficiency, followed by specialist care, can decelerate the progression of the disease. However, awareness of the importance and possible consequences of kidney insufficiency is low among doctors and patients. Since kidney insufficiency can be asymptomatic even in higher stages, it is often not even known to those belonging to risk groups. This study aims to clarify whether, for hospitalised patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, a risk-based appointment with a nephrology specialist reduces disease progression. METHODS: The target population of the study is hospitalised CKD patients with an increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), more specifically with an ESRD risk of at least 9% in the next 5 years. This risk is estimated by the internationally validated Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE). The intervention consists of a specific appointment with a nephrology specialist after the hospital stay, while control patients are discharged from the hospital as usual. Eight medical centres include participants according to a stepped-wedge design, with randomised sequential centre-wise crossover from recruiting patients into the control group to recruitment to the intervention. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is measured for each patient during the hospital stay and after 12 months within the regular care by the general practitioner. The difference in the change of the eGFR over this period is compared between the intervention and control groups and considered the primary endpoint. DISCUSSION: This study is designed to evaluate the effect of risk-based appointments with nephrology specialists for hospitalised CKD patients with an increased risk of end-stage renal disease. If the intervention is proven to be beneficial, it may be implemented in routine care. Limitations will be examined and discussed. The evaluation will include further endpoints such as non-guideline-compliant medication, economic considerations and interviews with contributing physicians to assess the acceptance and feasibility of the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00029691 . Registered on 12 September 2022.

Access to New Clinic Appointments for Patients With Cancer.

Importance: Racial and ethnic disparities have been observed in the outpatient visit rates for specialist care, including cancer care; however, little is known about patients' experience at the critical step of attempting to access new clinic appointments for cancer care. Objective: To determine simulated English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, and Mandarin-speaking patient callers' ability to access new clinic appointments for 3 cancer types (colon, lung, and thyroid cancer) that disproportionately impact Hispanic and Asian populations. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional audit study was conducted between November 2021 and March 2023 using 479 clinic telephone numbers that were provided by the hospital general information personnel at 143 hospitals located across 12 US states. Using standardized scripts, trained research personnel assigned to the roles of English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, and Mandarin-speaking patients called the telephone number for a clinic that treats colon, lung, or thyroid cancer to inquire about a new clinic appointment. Data analysis was conducted from June to September 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was whether the simulated patient caller was able to access cancer care (binary variable, yes or no), which was defined to include being provided with a clinic appointment date or scheduling information. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with simulated patient callers being able to access cancer care. Results: Of 985 total calls (399 English calls; 302 Spanish calls; 284 Mandarin calls), simulated patient callers accessed cancer care in 409 calls (41.5%). Differences were observed based on language type, with simulated English-speaking patient callers significantly more likely to access cancer care compared with simulated Spanish-speaking and Mandarin-speaking patient callers (English, 245 calls [61.4%]; Spanish, 110 calls [36.4%]; Mandarin, 54 calls [19.0%]; P < .001). A substantial number of calls ended due to linguistic barriers (291 of 586 Spanish or Mandarin calls [49.7%]) and workflow barriers (239 of 985 calls [24.3%]). Compared with English-speaking simulated patient callers, the odds of accessing cancer care were lower for Spanish-speaking simulated patient callers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.34; 95% CI, 0.25-0.46) and Mandarin-speaking simulated patient callers (aOR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.09-0.19). Compared with contacting clinics affiliated with teaching hospitals, callers had lower odds of accessing cancer care when contacting clinics that were affiliated with nonteaching hospitals (aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.40-0.70). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional audit study, simulated patient callers encountered substantial barriers when attempting to access clinic appointments for cancer care. These findings suggest that interventions focused on mitigating these barriers are necessary to increase access to cancer care for all patients.

Understanding the causes of missingness in primary care: a realist review.

BACKGROUND: Although missed appointments in healthcare have been an area of concern for policy, practice and research, the primary focus has been on reducing single 'situational' missed appointments to the benefit of services. Little attention has been paid to the causes and consequences of more 'enduring' multiple missed appointments in primary care and the role this has in producing health inequalities. METHODS: We conducted a realist review of the literature on multiple missed appointments to identify the causes of 'missingness.' We searched multiple databases, carried out iterative citation-tracking on key papers on the topic of missed appointments and identified papers through searches of grey literature. We synthesised evidence from 197 papers, drawing on the theoretical frameworks of candidacy and fundamental causation. RESULTS: Missingness is caused by an overlapping set of complex factors, including patients not identifying a need for an appointment or feeling it is 'for them'; appointments as sites of poor communication, power imbalance and relational threat; patients being exposed to competing demands, priorities and urgencies; issues of travel and mobility; and an absence of choice or flexibility in when, where and with whom appointments take place. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to address missingness at policy and practice levels should be theoretically informed, tailored to patients experiencing missingness and their identified needs and barriers; be cognisant of causal domains at multiple levels and address as many as practical; and be designed to increase safety for those seeking care.

Pattern and causes of missed appointments in a Nigerian Psychiatric Hospital: A cross-sectional study.

Psychiatric patients exhibit a higher rate of missed appointments compared to other medical specialities, leading to provider frustration, increased relapse, and suboptimal outcomes. This study investigates the patterns and correlates of missed appointments among outpatients at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Calabar, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study involving 403 consecutive outpatient clinic attendees was conducted. The study questionnaire inquired about sociodemographic characteristics and hospital utilization. The Oslo Social Support Scale, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, the Perceived Devaluation and Discrimination Scale, and the Treatment Perception Questionnaire were administered. The mean participant age was 36.19 years (SD = 11.25), with females constituting 52.6%. Missed appointments occurred in 16.6%. The primary reasons for missed appointments included financial difficulties, forgetfulness, and distance to the hospital. Factors significantly associated with missed appointments were marital status (married), having children, believing appointments were too frequent, medication nonadherence, and concerns about medication cost (P < .05). Additionally, individuals who received unorthodox or delayed traditional care during their first mental health episode were more likely to miss appointments (P < .05). Missed appointments are prevalent among psychiatric patients, often attributed to financial challenges, forgetfulness, and geographical barriers to the hospital. Some of these factors are modifiable, suggesting targeted interventions in adherence improvement programs are needed.

Identifying barriers to outpatient appointment attendance in patient groups at risk of inequity: a mixed methods study in a London NHS trust.

BACKGROUND: There is significant health inequity in the United Kingdom (U.K.), with different populations facing challenges accessing health services, which can impact health outcomes. At one London National Health Service (NHS) Trust, data showed that patients from deprived areas and minority ethnic groups had a higher likelihood of missing their first outpatient appointment. This study's objectives were to understand barriers to specific patient populations attending first outpatient appointments, explore systemic factors and assess appointment awareness. METHODS: Five high-volume specialties identified as having inequitable access based on ethnicity and deprivation were selected as the study setting. Mixed methods were employed to understand barriers to outpatient attendance, including qualitative semi-structured interviews with patients and staff, observations of staff workflows and interrogation of quantitative data on appointment communication. To identify barriers, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who missed their appointment and were from a minority ethnic group or deprived area. Staff interviews and observations were carried out to further understand attendance barriers. Patient interview data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis to create a thematic framework and triangulated with staff data. Subthemes were mapped onto a behavioural science framework highlighting behaviours that could be targeted. Quantitative data from patient interviews were analysed to assess appointment awareness and communication. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients and 11 staff were interviewed, with four staff observed. Seven themes were identified as barriers - communication factors, communication methods, healthcare system, system errors, transport, appointment, and personal factors. Knowledge about appointments was an important identified behaviour, supported by eight out of 26 patients answering that they were unaware of their missed appointment. Environmental context and resources were other strongly represented behavioural factors, highlighting systemic barriers that prevent attendance. CONCLUSION: This study showed the barriers preventing patients from minority ethnic groups or living in deprived areas from attending their outpatient appointment. These barriers included communication factors, communication methods, healthcare the system, system errors, transport, appointment, and personal factors. Healthcare services should acknowledge this and work with public members from these communities to co-design solutions supporting attendance. Our work provides a basis for future intervention design, informed by behavioural science and community involvement.

Early Access to First-Seizure Clinics, Subsequent Outcomes, and Factors Associated With Attendance.

Importance: First-seizure clinics (FSCs) aim to deliver prompt specialist care to patients with new-onset undifferentiated seizure events. Objective: To determine whether FSC attendance and time to FSC are associated with subsequent health care utilization and mortality and to investigate factors associated with FSC nonattendance. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a record-linkage, retrospective, cohort study of patients who booked appointments at 2 FSCs between 2007 and 2018. Patients' records were linked to state-wide administrative databases between 2000 and 2021. The setting comprised the FSCs of 2 major metropolitan public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, providing national inpatient and outpatient adult epilepsy services. Of patients who booked appointments at the FSCs, those who were successfully linked for analysis were included in the study. Patients who recorded only canceled appointments were excluded from analysis of outcomes. Study data were analyzed from January 2000 to December 2021. Exposure: FSC attendance. Main Outcomes and Measures: Subsequent all-cause and seizure-related emergency department (ED) presentations and hospital admissions. Results: Of 10 162 patients with appointments at FSCs, 9392 were linked for analysis, with mean (SD) follow-up time 6.9 (2.8) years after FSC referral. A total of 703 patients were excluded. Among 9392 linked patients, 5398 were male (57.5%; mean [SD] age, 59.7 [11.2] years). FSC attendance was associated with reduced subsequent all-cause emergency presentations (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.66-0.79) and all-cause hospitalization (aIRR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.75-0.88). Those who attended at the first-scheduled appointment, compared with those who attended only a rescheduled, delayed appointment, had reduced subsequent all-cause emergency presentations (aIRR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76-0.91), all-cause hospitalization (aIRR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65-0.79), seizure-related presentations (aIRR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.33-0.49), and mortality (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69-0.98). Male sex was associated with nonattendance (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.22), as were injury at emergency presentation (aRR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.24), psychiatric comorbidity (aRR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.55-1.81), previous seizure-related presentations (aRR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.22-1.49), and delays (>14 days) between FSC referral and appointment (aRR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.18-1.54). Hospitalization at referral was associated with reduced nonattendance (aRR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.90), as were non-English language preference (aRR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69-0.94), distance greater than 6 mi from home to clinic (aRR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76-0.95), and physical comorbidity (aRR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.89). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this cohort study suggest that FSC attendance, particularly early attendance, was associated with reduced rates of subsequent hospital utilization. This knowledge may support adequately resourcing FSCs to improve equitable, timely access. Future study directions include assessing interventions that may support FSC attendance for at-risk groups.