Effect on hospital attendance rates of giving patients a copy of their referral letter: randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate whether sending patients a copy of their referral letter can reduce non-attendance at outpatient departments.

Design

Blinded randomised controlled trial.

Setting

13 general practices in Exeter, Devon.

Subjects

2078 new consultant referrals from 26 doctors.

Main outcome measures

Non-attendance at outpatient departments.

Results

The doctors excluded 117 (5.6%) referrals, and 100 (4.8%) received no appointment. Attendance data were available for 1857 of the 1861 patients sent an appointment (99.8%). The receipt of a copy letter had no effect on the non-attendance rate: copy 50/912 (5.5%) versus control 50/945 (5.3%).

Conclusion

Copy letters are ineffective in reducing non-attendance at outpatient departments.

SUBMITTER: Hamilton W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC27884 | biostudies-literature | 1999 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature