Analyzing Factors and Reasons Behind NonAttendance of ENT Patients: Clinical Audit.

Abstract

Objective: This study analyzed the frequency of follow-up patients at the ENT clinic and identified different factors that are associated with nonattendance at follow-up appointments since nonattendance imposes significant stress on the system of healthcare. Methods: This study was an ambidirectional cohort study and conducted a telephonic survey with 104 ENT patients who missed their appointments. Results: The findings of the study revealed that patients missed their scheduled appointments because of transportation problems (46%), professional engagement (46%), family problems (44%), and financial problems (32.7%). However, patients didn't identify forgetfulness about the appointment, complete recovery, and health-related issues on the day of the appointment as the barrier to missing their scheduled appointment. The study assessed the relationship between socioeconomic status and the frequency of follow-up patients in an ENT clinic where transportation factor (P < .000), working commitments (P < .004) affecting the "Lower Middle and Middle Class" individuals, and financial problems (P < .005), family problems (P < .028), feeling sick (P < .037) were significantly affecting the "Middle-Upper Class" and "Middle Class." Meanwhile, forgetfulness was not associated with the socio-economic status of the ENT patients (P = .237). Conclusion: This study found transportation, family, financial issues, and professional commitments to be the key barriers to ENT appointment attendance, with Lower-Middle-Class patients particularly affected by forgetfulness. These missed appointments negatively impact patient health and strain the healthcare system.