Home > Medical Research Archives > Issue 149 > Characteristics of patients who leave without being seen: comparing with those who do not leave
Published in the Medical Research Archives
Apr 2017 Issue
Characteristics of patients who leave without being seen: comparing with those who do not leave
Published on Apr 15, 2017
DOI
Abstract
The percent of patients leaving without been seen by a doctor (LWBS) is often seen as a quality indicator of care. In this longitudinal study, we compare the behaviour over time of two groups of patients: the LWBS group composed by patients who did at least one LWBS visit, with the no-LWBS group containing the remaining individuals. We analysed their low acuity visits over a period of 3.5 years and search for the most frequent sequences of use of the Emergency departments in the city of Sherbrooke, Quebec. The LWBS visits represent a high percent of low acuity visits (14%) but they are generated by a low percent of the population (10.7%). The LWBS group generated 6.68 visits per person versus 3.13 visits in the no-LWBS group. The LWBS patients are young, 36 years old on average, and live in city areas either materially or socially deprived. Analysis of temporal sequences for all users revealed that patients’ conditions are being treated in the ED, instead of being followed up with a GP or a family doctor. Temporal sequences also revealed that a member of the LWBS group will likely repeat an LWBS visit within a week. Mental disorders, respiratory and digestive system problems are more frequent in the LWBS group than in the no-LWBS group and this may indicate chronic situations poorly managed. As there is no monetary incentive for the hospitals in Quebec to reduce the LWBS rate, we propose to establish a recall system that will direct chronic patients to external clinics already in service in the hospitals.
Author info
Lourdes Zubieta, Jose Ramon Fernandez-peña, Heitor Gomes
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