OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the rate of noncompliance and the reasons for noncompliance to outpatient appointment among child and adult patients who were initially seen as emergency psychiatric referrals from June 1 to August 31,2013 at the UP-Philippine General Hospital.
METHODOLOGY: This is a descriptive study. Total enumerative sampling of all patients seen as emergency psychiatric referrals was done. Results included percentage of noncompliance to appointments and a comparison of the rates using z-test. Top reasons for noncompliance were identified based on frequency and percentage. Comparison of reasons between child and adult groups was done using Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS: Majority (71.3%) of patients who were seen as emergency referrals to the Section of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine during the study period was non-compliant with their outpatient follow-up appointments. There was no statistically significant difference between child and adult groups in terms of rate of compliance and reasons for non-compliance.
CONCLUSION: The most common reasons for non-compliance to outpatient charity appointments: were unclear instructions about follow-up date and procedure;conflict with work or school schedule; perceived recovery after initial consult; no available companion; and no budget for transportation.