Clinical and social profile of patients with hypertension and/or diabetes and their reasons to missing appointments

Abstract

doi: 10.5216/ree.v15i2.16909 - http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/ree.v15i2.16909

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to identify the clinical and social profile of patients with hypertension and/or diabetes that fail to attend medical appointments and their reasons for being absent. This case series study was performed at a health unit that works in collaboration with the family health strategy, between October and December of 2010. Most absentees (87.8%) were women, aged between 50-59 years (44.9%), with an incomplete primary education (46.9%), with an income of up to two minimum salaries (69.4%). The main reasons for the absences were having other engagements on the same day (17.3%), forgetting the appointment date and other unspecified reasons (12.2%). By knowing the profile of these patients and their reasons for being absent to medical appointments it is possible to provide guided multiprofessional strategies, reorganize services and promote conditions for better treatment adherence.

Descriptors: Hypertension; Diabetes Mellitus; Primary Health Care; Public Health Nursing.