Identifying Predictors of No-Show Appointments at a University Hospital in Turkey

Aim: This study aimed to identify the number of patients not attending their outpatient appointments and the risk factors associated with no-show appointments in a university hospital. Methods: Patients’ no-show appointments were analyzed retrospectively in a university hospital in Çorum, a typical medium-sized province of Turkey, in a one-month period between January 1 and February 1, 2020. Data were obtained from the hospital information systems. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors affecting no-show appointments. Results: The proportion of no-show appointments was 16.2%. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between patients' sex, age, marital status, outpatient status, and not going to their appointments (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study will help better understand and manage the problem of no-show appointments. To reduce the negative effect of no-show appointments it is important to develop appropriate interventions.