Objectives: To determine appointment failure rates in pediatric reside
nt continuity clinics nationally, and to identify characteristics of c
linics with respect to factors that may affect appointment failure rat
es. Design: A one-page questionnaire administered via facsimile machin
e to pediatric residencies' continuity clinic directors. Results: Of 2
00 continuity clinic directors, 160 (80%) returned the survey. The mea
n no-show percentage was 30.9%, with a range of 3% to 80%. Among the f
actors studied, only mode of payment emerged as an independent predict
or. Conclusions: Appointment failure is a substantial problem in pedia
tric resident continuity clinics, which needs attention if resident le
arning, patient care, and clinic efficiency are to be optimized.