This article was originally published here
BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2021 Mar; 9 (1): e001819. doi: 10.1136 / bmjdrc-2020-001819.
ABSTRACT
Meeting regular medical appointments is a key indicator of patient engagement in diabetes care. However, a significant proportion of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) miss their regular doctor’s appointments. To prevent and delay diabetes-related complications, it is important to understand the factors associated with missed appointments in adults with T2DM. We have compiled evidence of factors associated with missed appointments in adults with T2DM. Using five electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, a systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies describing factors associated with missed appointments in adults with T2DM related. A total of 18 articles met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies included in this review were cohort studies using medical records. While more than half of the studies were of high quality, the operational definitions of missed appointments varied widely across the studies. Factors associated with missed appointments were grouped into patient characteristics, health system and provider factors, and interpersonal factors with inconsistent findings. Patient characteristics were the most frequently addressed category, followed by health system and provider factors. Only three studies looked at interpersonal factors, two of which were qualitative. More and more people are living with one or more chronic diseases for which patient-centered care and support must be treated more carefully. Future research should consider interpersonal factors from a patient perspective to better understand the underlying causes of missed appointments in adults with T2DM.
PMID: 33674280 | DOI: 10.1136 / bmjdrc-2020-001819
