Treatments were recorded using a standardised pro forma and record, for example, treatment modality, number and timing of appointments attended, and time to discharge.
The effect of age, gender, ethnic origin, waiting time for an appointment and the timing of appointments during the day on nonattendance proportion were assessed.
Early in its implementation Keep Well had identified that one driver of non-attendance at health check appointments was the timing of appointments.
Reducing structural barriers to accessing services (e.g. location, timing of appointments, childcare facilities) can also increase uptake (Baron et al, 2008).
Participants described most health professionals in our study as helpful and trying to accommodate patients' wishes, e.g., in relation to the timing of appointments.
This preference concerned major decisions about the execution of treatments as well as decisions concerning procedures surrounding treatment and examinations, such as the timing of appointments and the use of sedatives.
In other studies, patients found staff to be unwilling to accommodate their wishes concerning the timing of appointments [ 16], and they identified the attitudes of the reception staff and the patient/doctor relationship as barriers to access [ 17].
It was generally easier for patients to be involved in decisions regarding medication and timing of appointments, even if it was not always possible for the staff to accommodate their wishes.
P14, 40 49yo Pakistani Muslim woman, secondary education, interview If I forget an appointment, or if I forget the timing of an appointment, I'd consider that a minor matter and it wouldn't alarm me.
P13, 60 69yo Indian Muslim woman, secondary education, focus group More commonly, people said they would get help if there was a specific event that was severe or risky If I forget an appointment, or if I forget the timing of an appointment, I'd consider that a minor matter and it wouldn't alarm me.
