Improving outpatient department efficiency : a randomized controlled trial comparing hospital and general-practice telephone reminders

Ascertains whether or not telephone reminders reduce non-attendance at hospital outpatient clinics and whether telephone reminders from GPs are more effective than those made from hospitals. Randomises outpatient department appointments for three GPs over a three-month period, into three groups : hospitals, GPs, and controls. Reminds patients in the hospital and GP groups of their appointment by telephone 24 hours beforehand, by a hospital waiting-list clerk or their GP respectively. Records information on appointment awareness and subsequent attendance history. Source: National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, licensed by the Department of Internal Affairs for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand Licence.