Author(s): CHENG Su-hua, GUO Xiao-pei
Pages: 24-27
Year: 2015 Issue:  3
Journal: Hospital Management Forum
Keyword:  Outpatient service process; Appointment registration;
Abstract: Objective To find out the reasons for low appointment registration rate and propose solutions by studying cognition of doctors and patients on appointment registration. Methods Questionnaire was designed and handed out to 555 patients and 565 doctors in outpatient department. The results of questionnaire were analyzed statistically. Results The awareness rates of patients and doctors on appointment registration were 91.71%and 96.87%respectively. 55.33%of patients registered on-site, while 86.50%of doctors hoped that patients could make an appointment. The patients did not make appointments mainly due to their medical habits and the unavailability of appointing specific doctors, while the doctors were unwilling to participate in the appointment registration for a series of problems caused by clinic stopping. Conclusion The awareness rates of appointment registration of both doctors and patients are high, while the acceptance level needs to be improved. The success rate of appointment registration should be improved through measures including public education, patient-centered services, strict visit management and providing doctors with support services for making an appointment.