Date of Conferral
7-30-2026
Date of Award
July 2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Corinne Romano
Abstract
At an outpatient primary care and behavioral health clinic, the practice problem is the high rate of patient no-shows and late appointment cancellations. Missed appointments are a problem, disrupting continuity of care and follow-up and potentially affecting patient outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. The search revealed 26 peer-reviewed studies. Literature consistently supports the use of multifaceted interventions to improve appointment adherence in outpatient settings. The project proposal consists of the development of an evidence-based practice (EBP) program proposal to address the gap in practice in improving appointment attendance. The planned intervention is a nurse-led continuity-of-care support program that includes standardized appointment reminders, patient education resources, and staff training. Participants in the development of the project were the clinic administrator, medical director, and nursing staff. The practice-focused question guiding the project was the following: Will a comprehensive program proposal to ensure patient continuity of care and to reduce no-show and cancellation rates in an outpatient primary care clinic be endorsed by clinic leadership? Outcomes for this project proposal include the development of an evidence-based nurse-led continuity-of-care program, standardized appointment reminder and follow-up protocols, staff training and patient education resources, and an implementation plan to improve appointment adherence. The impact on nursing practice is the standardization of appointment processes supported by evidence. The project supports positive social change by improving access to health services and enabling culturally responsive, high-quality care for all patients.
Recommended Citation
Mesape, Belinda siri, "A Proposal for a Nurse-Led Continuity of Care Program" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20463.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20463
