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. 1984 Fall;17(3):303–311. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1984.17-303

Reducing noncompliance to follow-up appointment keeping at a family practice center.

J M Rice, J R Lutzker
PMCID: PMC1307947  PMID: 6439713

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated follow-up appointment keeping at a family practice center. To determine if noncompliance could be reduced, four treatments were implemented: no-treatment control, modified appointment card, free follow-up, and a reduced rate follow-up. Thereafter, the reduced rate follow-up was implemented again to determine the extent noncompliance could be reduced for all eligible patients. Incentives significantly increased follow-up appointment keeping, whereas the modified appointment card was ineffective. A cost analysis suggested that the no-treatment control and modified appointment card conditions were the least expensive, but also the least effective. The incentive conditions were more expensive, but the reduced rate condition generated the most net revenue. Questionnaire data suggested that the incentive conditions had an effect on noncompliance and may be considered for use in other medical settings.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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