Missed appointments to outpatient substance use treatment are common and costly and can have a negative effect on the health of patients. In this quasi-experimental study, the investigators used an on-off design to examine whether a reminder "plus" intervention (telephone call from therapist before first appointment) would increase attendance and improve cancellation and rebooking practices. Secondary outcomes included satisfaction with treatment and intention to complete the treatment program.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
147
Reminder plus (telephone call from therapist)
Addiction Unit - Sørlandet Hospital
Arendal, Agder, Norway
Addiction Unit - Sørlandet Hospital
Kristiansand, Agder, Norway
Attendance rate
Attendance rate at first admission and during 10 outpatient sessions
Time frame: Up to 10 treatment sessions, estimated average timeframe = 3 months
Dropout rate
Dropout rate within 10 sessions - measured as formal discharge and/or "technical discharge" (3x no-shows)
Time frame: Up to 10 treatment sessions, estimated average timeframe = 3 months
Cancellation / rebooking rate
Examine difference in cancellation / rebooking rate between the two conditions. Data was collected from administrative patient records.
Time frame: Up to 10 treatment sessions, estimated average timeframe = 3 months
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