Assessing Retention in a Free Diabetes Clinic
ORCID
Buys: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8547-056X
MSU Affiliation
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion
Creation Date
2026-01-29
Abstract
The PATH Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, is a free clinic for uninsured patients with uncontrolled diabetes. In its first 22 months, more than 25% of patients were lost to follow-up. This report shares reasons for patients becoming lost to follow-up. Investigators used patient records for quantitative analyses and phone interviews for qualitative analysis. Sociodemographic factors were not associated with patients’ likelihood of becoming lost to follow-up. Qualitative results show that these patients had uncertainty regarding appointment dates, complicated life circumstances, and transportation barriers. Results indicate that social interventions may improve patient compliance and retention and should be tested.
Publication Date
4-1-2019
Publication Title
The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
Publisher
Elsevier
First Page
301-305.e1
Last Page
305
Recommended Citation
Buys, K. C., Selleck, C., & Buys, D. R. (2019). Assessing Retention in a Free Diabetes Clinic. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 15(4), 301-305.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2018.12.003
