Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration, DHA

School

Health Services

Advisor

Miriam Ross

Abstract

A major problem encountered within outpatient physician offices are missed appointments. Missed appointment research revealed how no-show rates remain a focus for healthcare administrators as decreasing no-show rates may reverse harmful health consequences. The purpose of this study, which also addressed the research gap, was to determine if there was an association between advanced access scheduling and no-show rates for patients scheduled with preferred primary care physicians versus nonpreferred primary care physicians. The health belief model was the conceptual framework as missing a prescheduled appointment is a health behavior. The 1st and 2nd research questions examined whether there was a statistically significant mean proportion difference between the national no-show rate and the study no-show rates. The 3rd research question examined the association between the preferred and nonpreferred primary care physicians and no-show visit status. Historic primary care prescheduled visit data were electronically obtained for patients over the age of 18. Utilizing SPSS software, 4,815 visits were analyzed using z test of proportion and Chi Square test for association. Study results demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the national no-show rate and this study and a significant association between physician type and visit status. Results indicated the potential for improved appointment compliance if patients are scheduled with their preferred primary care physician. This study may promote positive social change by providing healthcare administrators with an understanding of the significance surrounding advanced access scheduling and patient no-show behaviors, thus decreasing missed appointment rates in primary care.

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