Non-attendance at psychological therapy appointments

James Binnie, Zoe Boden

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Objective: Research demonstrates that non-attendance at healthcare appointments is a waste of scarce resources; leading to reduced productivity, increased costs, disadvantaged patients through increased waiting times, and demoralised staff. This study investigated non-attendance and implemented interventions to improve practice.
    Method: A mixed methods service audit took place in a primary care psychological therapies service. Existing service guidelines and reporting systems were reviewed. A cross-sectional design was used to compare a year’s cohort of completers of cognitive behavioural therapy (N=140) and drop-outs (N=61).
    Results: Findings suggested contrasting guidelines and clinically inaccurate reporting systems. The overall service DNA (Did Not Attend) rate was 8.9%; well below rates suggested in the literature. The drop-out rate from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was 17%. The most influential factor associated with CBT drop-out was the level of depression. The level of anxiety, risk ratings and deprivation scores were also different between completers and drop-outs. The main reasons given for non-attendance were forgetting, being too unwell to attend, having other priorities, or dissatisfaction with the service; again these findings were consistent with prior research.
    Conclusions: A range of recommendations for practice are made, many of which were implemented with an associated reduction in the DNA rate.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)231-248
    JournalMental Health Review Journal
    Volume21
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 12 Sept 2016

    Keywords

    • psychological therapy
    • non-attendance
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Mental Health
    • Service improvement or transformation

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