Missed Opportunities in Pediatric Feeding Clinic: A Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

Background: Patient non-attendance at pediatric ambulatory visits disrupts clinic workflow and limits access to care, causing financial losses for the healthcare system.

Methods: A cross-section of 487 patients scheduled from January 2023 to July 2023, 4 years of age or less, were analyzed for descriptive patient demographics and the first scheduled appointment during the study window. The univariate analysis compared groups of attendance and non-attendance with multivariate logistic regression examining relationships between variables of interest.

Results: The overall missed opportunities rate was 30.2% (n = 147). Lead time, marginalized populations, use of prescription medications, and previous non-attendance were independent determinants of non-attendance using a multivariate logistic model.

Discussion: The primary modifiable driver of patient non-attendance was appointment lead time. Several non-modifiable determinants of non-attendance could provide focus areas for targeted interventions from missed opportunity appointments. Reducing non-attendance should focus on improving access to care for vulnerable pediatric patients from under-resourced communities.

Keywords: Ambulatory care; gastroenterology; no-show patients; patient compliance.