PP901 - Appointment No-Show Rates Among Adult Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Abstract:
This study analyzes appointment no-show rates among adults with developmental disabilities at a clinic specific to this population. A retrospective analysis revealed that approximately 39% of appointments were either rescheduled or canceled, highlighting a barrier to care continuity. Of these cancellations, 9% were initiated by the clinic, suggesting operational factors may also contribute to appointment disruptions. The findings indicate the need for strategies to improve clinic access for individuals with developmental disabilities, with emphasis on understanding patient and clinic-related factors. Recommendations for future practice include enhancing communication, optimizing scheduling, and exploring interventions that address the unique needs of patients.

Summary
Purpose
Appointment no-show rates are a well-documented barrier to healthcare access, particularly in specialty and subspecialty settings. Existing studies often explore no-show rates in relation to socioeconomic status, age, specific conditions, or medical specialties, but there is a lack of research focused specifically on individuals with developmental disabilities, a population that faces unique healthcare challenges. This study aims to fill this gap by evaluating no-show, cancellation, and rescheduling rates at a specialty clinic solely serving individuals with developmental disabilities. By analyzing appointment disruptions in this specific patient population, the study seeks to identify contributing factors, understand patterns, and assess the proportion of cancellations initiated by the clinic itself. Ultimately, the goal is to inform strategies to reduce appointment disruptions and enhance access to care for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Methods
A retrospective review was conducted using appointment data from January 2016 to February 2024 at a single specialty clinic serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The clinic provides comprehensive care across five departments: Medical, Dental, Psychiatric, Specialty Medical, and Therapies. All scheduled appointments were reviewed, with a focus on those that were either canceled or rescheduled. Cancellations and rescheduling were categorized departmentally to assess patterns and frequencies. No-show appointments were included within the cancellation or rescheduling categories. Data extracted from the clinic’s scheduling system were used to calculate the overall rate of appointment disruptions. Additionally, the proportion of cancellations initiated by the clinic was recorded. This analysis aimed to identify specialty appointment factors influencing attendance within the patient population and inform strategies to reduce no-show and cancellation rates.

Results/Conclusions
A total of 76,961 scheduled appointments from January 2016 to February 2024 were reviewed. Of these, approximately 39% were either rescheduled or canceled, with no-show appointments included in these categories. Among these disruptions, approximately 9% of cancellations were initiated by the clinic itself. The results of this study highlight a significant rate of appointment disruptions, with no-show, cancellation, and rescheduling rates within this patient population. This suggests that individuals with developmental disabilities face unique barriers to consistent healthcare access. Future research should explore the underlying causes of appointment disruptions in this population, including logistical, behavioral, and environmental factors, and assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving appointment adherence for individuals with developmental disabilities.