The Impact of Telehealth Implementation and Visit Modality on No-Show Rate in a High-Risk Obstetrics Clinic in a Safety Net Healthcare System
Authors: Elaine C Khoong, Magdalene Kuznia, Kelcie Marie T Rodriguez, Melissa M Gosdin, Jennifer N Juarez Yoc, Lina Tieu, Ben Li, Misa Perron-Burdick, George Su, Malini Nijagal, Courtney R Lyles
This study evaluated the association between patient choice of visit modality (in-person, video, or telephone) and no-show rates for prenatal care in an urban safety-net obstetrics clinic. Among 504 participants and 1,311 visits, the no-show rate was higher for telephone visits compared to in-person visits. Logistic regression analysis showed that telephone visits were associated with higher odds of no-shows, likely because patients chose phone visits when they perceived the visit as less serious or had competing obligations. These findings suggest that while telemedicine can offer flexibility, phone visits may contribute to increased no-show rates, and further research is needed to understand how telemedicine influences disparities in prenatal care.