PREDICTORS OF MISSED APPOINTMENTS FOR PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTATIONS IN A PRIMARY-CARE CLINIC

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine predictors of mis sed appointments for psychiatric consultations among patients in a gen eral medical clinic, Methods: The charts of 180 patients consecutively referred for psychiatric consultations at a university-affiliated pri mary care clinic were reviewed. Ninety patients missed appointments fo r these consultations. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to compare patients who missed and did not miss appointments on demograp hic and clinical variables, as well as measures related to patients' i nteractions with the clinic and the referring clinician. Results: Logi stic regression analysis revealed three significant predictors of miss ed appointments. Patients with mild distress and those with significan t resistance to seeing a psychiatrist were more likely to miss appoint ments, as were those who had to wait longer between the referral and t he appointment date, Conclusions: The results suggest that shortening the wait for a psychiatric consultation, reserving consultation for mo re severe cases, and working to reduce patients' resistance to consult ation will reduce the number of missed appointments.