Clinic visit no‐shows and last‐minute cancellations are common among teens and emerging adults with type 1 diabetes

AIMS: This study aimed to compare demographic and clinical information of teens and emerging adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) by endocrinology visit completion status (no-showed, cancelled last minute [within 8 days], attended). METHODS: Three endocrinology clinic schedules (two paediatric, one adult) were reviewed weekly over a 6-month period to identify people with T1D (≥1 year) ages 15-35. A1c, demographics and use of emergency department (ED)/inpatient care over the last year were recorded. We compared these factors by visit completion status using ANOVA, chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Of 529 individuals, 9% no-showed and 21% cancelled their visit last minute. Among those who cancelled, private insurance was more common than public (60% vs. 38%, respectively), which differed from those who no-showed (40% vs. 53%, p < 0.001). A1c was higher in people who no-showed (79 mmol/mol, 9.4%) than cancelled (67 mmol/mol, 8.2%) or completed visits (62 mmol/mol, 7.8%, p < 0.001). Those who no-showed were more likely to have 2+ ED visits/hospitalizations in the last year compared with those who cancelled or attended (21% vs. 11% vs. 6%, respectively; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Among 15-35-year-olds with T1D, no-shows and last-minute cancellations were common. Those who cancelled last minute had higher A1cs and greater ED/hospital use than those who completed visits, although these were not as high as in those who no-showed. Mechanisms to identify and ensure appropriate follow-up among individuals with last-minute cancellations should be explored.