TY - JOUR
T1 - An Update on Loss to Follow-up After Upper Extremity Surgery
T2 - Survey of Patient Responses
AU - Samade, Richard
AU - Colvell, Kara
AU - Goyal, Kanu S.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2019.
PY - 2021/1
Y1 - 2021/1
N2 - Background: Incomplete patient follow-up is a common problem after hand and upper extremity (HUE) surgery and is influenced by many demographic factors. The aims of this investigation are to determine patient-stated factors for lack of follow-up, identify potential interventions, and measure satisfaction following operations. Methods: A prospective survey sampling of 173 of 655 patients lost to follow-up after HUE operations in a single institution between June 2014 and July 2015 was performed. Demographic variables collected included age, sex, distance to clinic, insurance payor, and length of time to last follow-up visit. Survey responses regarding reasons for insufficient follow-up, future recommendations, and overall satisfaction were recorded. Statistical results were reported as P values, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: More than half (65.3%) of 173 patients erroneously thought that they had completed follow-up, with private insurance being the only risk factor (OR = 2.45, P =.010, 95% CI = 1.24-4.85). Other common reasons for insufficient follow-up included not placing the appointment into a personal calendar (7%), excessive costs (6%), and transportation (5%). Approximately half (51%) of 55 patients aware that they had missed follow-up stated that no intervention would have helped. Median patient satisfaction with their operation was 10/10 (interquartile range = 8-10). Conclusions: Most patients lost to follow-up after HUE operations were not aware that they had a follow-up appointment, but were nevertheless satisfied with treatment. Interventions targeted to patients who erroneously thought they had followed up may be the most beneficial.
AB - Background: Incomplete patient follow-up is a common problem after hand and upper extremity (HUE) surgery and is influenced by many demographic factors. The aims of this investigation are to determine patient-stated factors for lack of follow-up, identify potential interventions, and measure satisfaction following operations. Methods: A prospective survey sampling of 173 of 655 patients lost to follow-up after HUE operations in a single institution between June 2014 and July 2015 was performed. Demographic variables collected included age, sex, distance to clinic, insurance payor, and length of time to last follow-up visit. Survey responses regarding reasons for insufficient follow-up, future recommendations, and overall satisfaction were recorded. Statistical results were reported as P values, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: More than half (65.3%) of 173 patients erroneously thought that they had completed follow-up, with private insurance being the only risk factor (OR = 2.45, P =.010, 95% CI = 1.24-4.85). Other common reasons for insufficient follow-up included not placing the appointment into a personal calendar (7%), excessive costs (6%), and transportation (5%). Approximately half (51%) of 55 patients aware that they had missed follow-up stated that no intervention would have helped. Median patient satisfaction with their operation was 10/10 (interquartile range = 8-10). Conclusions: Most patients lost to follow-up after HUE operations were not aware that they had a follow-up appointment, but were nevertheless satisfied with treatment. Interventions targeted to patients who erroneously thought they had followed up may be the most beneficial.
KW - follow-up
KW - patient satisfaction
KW - survey
KW - upper extremity surgery
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U2 - 10.1177/1558944719840743
DO - 10.1177/1558944719840743
M3 - Article
C2 - 30947548
AN - SCOPUS:85064000883
SN - 1558-9447
VL - 16
SP - 104
EP - 109
JO - Hand
JF - Hand
IS - 1
ER -