Fine for non‐attendance in public hospitals in Denmark: A survey of non‐attenders' reasons and attitudes

Abstract

Summary Objective To investigate non‐attending patients' reasons for non‐attendance and their general and specific attitudes towards a non‐attendance fine. Data sources Non‐attenders at two hospital departments participating in a trial of fine for non‐attendance from May 2015 to January 2017. Design A quantitative questionnaire study was conducted among non‐attenders. Data collection Non‐attending patients in the intervention group were invited to complete the questionnaire. The response rate was 39% and the total number of respondents was 71 individuals. Principal findings The main reason for non‐attendance was technical challenges with the digital appointment and with cancelation. The main part of the respondents was generally positive towards a fine for non‐attendance. However, approximately the half had a negative attitude towards the actual fine issued. Conclusions Technical challenges with appointments and cancelation should get special attention when addressing non‐attendance. Danish non‐attending patients are primarily positive towards the general principle of issuing a fine for non‐attendance. However, a significant proportion of the generally positive, reported a negative specific attitude to the specific fine issued to them. This, however, did not affect their general attitude.

Mapping out the arguments for and against patient non-attendance fees in healthcare: an analysis of public consultation documents

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