Intended for healthcare professionals

  1. Effect on hospital...
  2. Effect on hospital attendance rates of giving patients a copy of their referral letter: randomised controlled trial
General Practice

Effect on hospital attendance rates of giving patients a copy of their referral letter: randomised controlled trial

BMJ 1999; 318 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.318.7195.1392 (Published 22 May 1999) Cite this as: BMJ 1999;318:1392
  1. William Hamilton (barnfield.hill.research{at}which.net), general practitionera,
  2. Alison Round, consultant in public health medicineb,
  3. Deborah Sharp, professorc
  1. a12 Barnfield Hill, Exeter EX1 1SR
  2. b North and East Devon Health Authority, Dean Clarke House, Southernhay East, Exeter EX1 1PQ
  3. c Division of Primary Health Care, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Bristol BS8 2PR
  1. Correspondence to: Dr Hamilton
  • Accepted 30 March 1999

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.

Footnotes

  • website extra: A profile of the trial appears on the BMJ's website www.bmj.com

  • Accepted 30 March 1999
View Full Text
Back to top