Researchers: Liat Lerner-Geva¹, Galit Hirsh-Yechezkel¹, Adel Farhi¹, Saralee Glasser¹, Lidia V. Gabis²

Background: Missed appointments/no-shows at Child Development Centers have significant consequences--personal (delayed diagnosis) and institutional (extended wait-time, poor allotment of professional resources).

Objectives: To assess the rate of missed appointments at government Child Development Centers, and to describe associated characteristics and reasons for this phenomenon.

Method: The study population included all children who had initial appointments at one of three participating Child Development Centers during one year. Socio-demographic, administrative and clinical data was collected from the medical records, and from telephone interview that was conducted with parents of all children who missed their appointment and a sample of those who attended. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify variables associated with no-shows.

Findings: During the study period, 1,143 children had initial appointments, and the rate of no-shows was 26.6%. The main reasons for no-shows were an unexpected family event or illness, and lack of insurance coverage. Several socio-demographic and administrative variables were found associated with no-shows. Children who had previously received at least three types of rehabilitative therapies had lower probability of no-show.

Conclusions: The findings of this and other research studies highlight the difficulty of defining specific variables that can predict no-shows. Evidently this is a complex event with a broad variety of causes. Certain socio-demographic, administrative and clinical variables may be associated with the phenomenon.

Recommendations: Strategies for reducing the rate of no-shows should include methods of reminding, information about the importance of keeping the appointment, and policy. These should also be adapted for the specific population being served. Consideration should be given regarding the optimal use of the Child Development Centers' resources and efficient time management, thereby enabling optimal early diagnosis and treatment of children's developmental delays.

Research end date: 12/2018