Reducing missed psychotherapy appointments: An advanced practice nurse‐initiated telephone orientation protocol

Abstract

Purpose Missed appointments pose significant challenges to the health care system as they contribute to the inefficient use of resources, increase costs, and result in poor outcomes. The aim of this project was to reduce the rate of missed adult psychotherapy appointments by implementing a Psychiatric‐Mental Health Nurse Practitioner‐initiated telephone orientation protocol (TOP). Design Quasi‐experimental. Methods The TOP intervention combined an attendance policy review, psychoeducation, and motivational interviewing techniques. Missed appointment rates were compared before and after initiation of the TOP. Findings The TOP significantly reduced the rates of missed appointments by 55% over 12 weeks. Practice implications The TOP can be implemented as standard care to increase client engagement, improve appointment attendance, and boost clinician productivity.