ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the possible characteristics and patterns in the types of individuals who are likely to abscond from the urology clinic and the implications of these on the eventual outcome of the patient.
Methods: Patients scheduled to be seen in urology clinic between the periods of January 2013 and June 2014 were logged into a database and followed up prospectively. Abscondees in this survey were defined as those patients who missed at least two clinic appointments without a valid explanation and/or those who simply could not be contacted for at least two weeks following the missed appointment. Demographics of patients were collected together with the mode of re-presentation, eventual outcome and reason for absconding.
Results: A total of 1,207 patients records were interrogated. 17 patients were identified as abscondees. The combination of young male, renal calculus disease and absence of symptoms during time of absconding was present in approximately 82% of patients. Those citing no pain as a reason accounted for 16 patients [94%]. 100% of abscondees stated that they would have attended clinic if they had known the dangers of absconding.
Conclusion: In urology patients, the risk of serious illness is significant in those who are lost to follow-up. Abscondees in this study were young males with stone disease. The perceived "benign" nature of the disease and the absence of renal colic gives the false impression that missing the appointment is unlikely to be detrimental. A greater emphasis patient education at first consultation is needed.
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