Effectiveness of computer-generated telephone messages in increasing clinic visits

• Published in: Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine Vol. 149; no. 8; p. 902
• Main Authors: Dini, E F, Linkins, R W, Chaney, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.1995
• Subjects: Ambulatory Care; Ambulatory Care Facilities - organization & administration; Appointments and Schedules; Computers; Delivery of Health Care - organization & administration; Georgia; Humans; Public Health; Telephone; United States; United States; Georgia
• ISSN: 1072-4710
• DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.1995.02170210076013

To evaluate the effectiveness of computer-generated telephone reminder calls in increasing kept appointment rates in a public health setting. Randomized controlled trial. Public health clinic, Georgia. Five hundred seventeen clients with scheduled appointments during a 4-week period at immunization, women, infant, and children; well-child; or family-planning programs. A single computer-generated telephone reminder 1 day before each client's scheduled appointment. Rates of kept appointments. Of the 277 clients assigned to receive the intervention, 144 (52%) kept their appointments, compared with only 78 (32.5%) of 240 who were not assigned to receive a message (P < .05). Improvement in kept appointment rates associated with receiving the message was highest for the immunization-program (183% increase, P < .05), with increases of 64%, 53%, and 44% for the well-child; women, infant, and children; and family-planning programs, respectively. These results suggest a simple and effective method to increase kept appointment rates in a variety of public health programs.