Missing several GP appointments could be warning sign, say researchers

Patients who repeatedly fail to attend GP appointments are likely to be among the most socioeconomically deprived, says new research. The researchers said that missing several appointments could be a warning sign that something major is wrong and that follow-up action is needed.

The three year retrospective study published in the Lancet Public Health examined the appointment histories between 2013 and 2016 of 550 083 patients from 134 general practices in Scotland. It found that nearly half (46%) of patients missed one or more appointment and that 19% missed more …