The impact of personalized reminders in addition to an automated patient reminder system on pediatric dermatology no-show rates: A pilot study

We investigated the impact of a personalized telephone call reminder for patients that had not confirmed their clinic appointment, in addition to automated reminders, on monthly no-show rates. Our data revealed a reduction in the monthly no-show rate from 16.0% (SD = 3.91%) before the intervention to 13.1% (SD = 0.27%, P = 0.0997) after the intervention, which was not statistically significant. The standard deviation of the no-show rate with the intervention was reduced, leading to a predictable monthly no-show rate (range 12.93%-13.51%). Thus, the number of patients attending clinic was more predictable. This study highlights the need for additional investigation of factors associated with appointment nonadherence in pediatric dermatology.