Patient factors associated with dermatology outpatient non-attendance: An analysis of racial and ethnic diversity

Abstract

Non-attendance to dermatology outpatient appointments is a risk factor for poorer patient outcomes. The culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Australia have been identified as at risk of poorer health outcomes, but there is a paucity of data assessing patient factors that may increase outpatient non-attendance. To investigate this, we performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of dermatology appointments from patients attending a tertiary, referral public hospital located in one of Australia's most racially and ethnically diverse communities. Patients within the 18-45 years age bracket were 61% more likely not to attend when compared with older age groups. Those born in Oceania, Middle East Asia, and surprisingly Australia were more likely to miss an appointment, whilst those born in East and Southeast Asia were more likely to attend. Those who spoke Arabic at home were more likely not to attend, whilst those who spoke Vietnamese at home were more likely to attend. This study sheds further light on health disparities in non-attendance and emphasizes the importance of not collectively amalgamating all groups of the CALD community.

Keywords: Dermatology; Outpatient, non-attendance, patient factors, race, and ethnicity.