Date of Conferral
12-12-2025
Date of Award
December 2025
Degree
Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)
School
Health Services
Advisor
Leah Grebner
Abstract
Abstract Outpatient addiction treatment centers face significant challenges from inefficient appointment scheduling systems that contribute to high no-show rates, delayed care, and weakened organizational performance. These barriers affect more than daily operations; they disrupt the flow of treatment, increase patient disengagement, and place additional strain on limited healthcare resources. For patients navigating substance use disorders, a missed appointment may jeopardize continuity of care and undermine recovery efforts. This integrative review explored strategies to improve scheduling efficiency and enhance patient engagement in outpatient addiction care. A systematic search of recent U.S. studies was conducted and appraised using the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice tool. Findings were synthesized using a continuous quality improvement framework, emphasizing iterative Plan–Do–Study–Act cycles, adaptability, real-time feedback loops, continuous measurement, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen healthcare delivery. Five themes consistently emerged: continuity of care, technology-enhanced engagement, crisis responsiveness, adaptive scheduling, and adherence optimization. Evidence suggests that telehealth adoption reduces no-show rates and shortens the time-to-appointment, offering flexibility for patients facing logistical barriers. Patient navigation and coordinated follow-ups improved transitions, ensuring individuals remained connected after acute care. Automated self-scheduling tools enhanced access when designed with usability and equity in mind. Discharge scheduling and warm handoffs ensured continuity by arranging follow-up care early, reducing dropouts, and improving retention. These findings underscore that appointment scheduling is not simply an administrative task but a vital component of patient-centered care.
Recommended Citation
Drammeh, Adama, "Strategies to Streamline Patient Appointments in Specialty Outpatient Care" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18867.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18867
