Effect on hospital attendance rates of giving patients a copy of their referral letter: randomised controlled trial. Issue 7195 (22nd May 1999)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hamilton, William; Round, Alison; Sharp, Deborah
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 318:Issue 7195(1999)
• Page Start: 1392
• Page End: 1395
• Publication Date: 1999-05-22
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.318.7195.1392
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives : To investigate whether sending patients a copy of their referral letter can reduce non-attendance at outpatient departments. Design : Blinded randomised controlled trial. Setting : 13 general practices in Exeter, Devon. Subjects : 2078 new consultant referrals from 26 doctors. Main outcome measures : Non-attendance at outpatient departments. Results : The doctors excluded 117 (5.6%) referrals, and 100 (4.8%) received no appointment. Attendance data were available for 1857 of the 1861 patients sent an appointment (99.8%). The receipt of a copy letter had no effect on the non-attendance rate: copy 50/912 (5.5%) versus control 50/945 (5.3%). Conclusion : Copy letters are ineffective in reducing non-attendance at outpatient departments.