Objective:

To study the demographic variables and clinical diagnoses associated with no-show(NS) to ambulatory neurology telehealth video visits(THV).

Background:

Tele-health visits have become an important pillar of healthcare delivery since the COVID pandemic. NS may result in delays in clinical care and in lost revenue. Understanding the factors associated with NS may help providers take measures to decrease their frequency and impact. 

Design/Methods:

We conducted a retrospective chart review of all ambulatory neurology THV in our healthcare system from 1/1/2021 to 5/1/2021.  Inclusion criteria included patients at or above 18 years of age who either had a completed visit (CV) or an NS for their neurology THV. Patients with missing demographic variables and those who did not have a neurological ICD-10 primary diagnosis code were excluded. NS and CV groups were compared using independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests as appropriate. Multivariate regression, with backward elimination, was conducted to identify pertinent variables associated with NS.  

Results:

4,670 unique THV encounters were identified. 428 (9.2%) were NS and 4,242 (90.8%) were CV. Odds of NS were higher with self-identified non-Caucasian race OR = 1.65 (95%, CI: 1.28-2.14; p=0.002), Medicaid insurance OR = 1.81 (95%, CI: 1.54-2.12; p<0.001), and with primary diagnoses of sleep disorders OR = 10.87 (95%, CI: 5.55-39.84; p<0.001), gait abnormalities OR = 3.63 (95%, CI: 1.81-7.27; p<0.001), and back/radicular pain OR = 5.62 (95%, CI: 2.84-11.10; p<0.001). Odds of NS were lower in married individuals OR = 0.74 (95%, CI: 0.59-0.91; p=0.005), and with primary diagnoses of multiple sclerosis OR = 0.24 (95%, CI: 0.13-0.44; p<0.001) and movement disorders OR = 0.41 (95%, CI: 0.25-0.68; p<0.001).

Conclusions:

Demographic factors and primary neurological diagnosis codes can be helpful in predicting NS to neurology THV. This data can be used to warn providers regarding the risk of NS for a patient.