Análisis de los pacientes no presentados a la consulta de neurología de La Marina Alta

Objectives. To analyze the frequency, reasons and characteristics of patients who missed their appointments (NP) at the Neurology Clinic (CEA). To compare the characteristics of the NP with the patients who did not miss their appointment. Suggest measures to reduce avoidable causes of NP. Patients and methods. During the period 1/10/99 to 30/4/2000 the cases of NP were prospectively recorded and compared with a sample ofpatients who attended the CEN during the same period We analyze the data on age, sex, distance ofhome from CEN, diagnosis, type of consultation and date of last consultation. The NP were contacted by phone and asked why they had not gone for their appointments. The reasons given were then classified as avoidable or unavoidable. Results. Of the 1,842 consultations scheduled, 19% were NP. When the NP and the patients who did attend were compared we found statistically signflcant differences regarding the distance home/CEN. According to the diagnosis, the NP had more 'symptoms/signs' and other MIA, whilst those who attended the clinic had more 'neuropathies' and 'awaiting diagnosis'. The commonest avoidable reasons (55.8%) for NP were forgetting. administrative error and communication failure, and for unavoidablereasons (44.2%) physical disability, other priorities and improvement. Conclusions. There is a large proportion ofNP in the CEN of the Marina Alta. The distance from home to CEN (over 25 km) was the main factor affecting the rate ofNP. Since 56% of the NP were due to avoidable causes, strategies could be designed to reduce this percentage. In the NP group, the main causes were forgetting, administrative errors and communication failure.