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Non-attendance at an out-patient otolaryngology and head and neck clinic in New Zealand: impact of coronavirus disease 2019, and demographic, clinical and environmental factors

Part of: JLO Coronavirus Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2021

O Ahmadi ,
W Maher  and
J White
O Ahmadi
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
W Maher
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
J White*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Julian White, Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Waikato Hospital, 183 Pembroke St, Hamilton3204, New Zealand E-mail: Julian.White@waikatodhb.health.nz Fax: +64 (7) 839 8681
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Abstract

Background

Fear of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 may be the latest addition to the barriers to clinic attendance. This study aimed to examine the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 and other variables on non-attendance rate at an out-patient clinic.

Methods

Clinic attendance at the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Waikato Hospital, New Zealand, was assessed. For each appointment, the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 and other variables on non-attendance rate were analysed.

Results

In total, 1963 appointments were scheduled, with 194 non-attendances (9.9 per cent). Patients who had their appointments confirmed beforehand were 10.0 times more likely to attend their appointment. Sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity and age were found to impact non-attendance rate.

Conclusion

In New Zealand, coronavirus disease 2019 does not appear to be a barrier to out-patient clinic appointment attendance. The patient's age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and prior appointment confirmation were found to influence clinic attendance.

Keywords

Appointments And SchedulesPatient Non-AttendanceHealth Services AccessibilityCOVID-19
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 6 , June 2021 , pp. 533 - 538
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Dr J White takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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