Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Email: Saraleeg gertner. Missed appointments MAs at child development centres ChDCs cause multiple problems: they preclude timely diagnosis and treatment of both the invited child and children whose appointment was delayed due to overbooking, as well as disrupting efficient organisational management. Parents of children who missed their appointment and a sample of those who attended were interviewed by telephone.
The rate of missed appointments was The prevalence of developmental impairment among children worldwide is estimated at 8. Delays in each area of development may become evident at a young age, and may involve language or motor domains, or delays in several developmental modalities. In order to initiate interventions and other services when an impairment is suspected, an initial assessment is required by a multidisciplinary team.
This team generally includes a developmental specialist M. If more than one area is delayed or a major diagnosis is suspected, the child is referred to a child development centre ChDC where a coordinated team conducts the assessment. Early diagnosis of developmental impairment allows timely intervention in order to improve prognosis and treatment outcome, 2 , 4 , 5 and thus may positively impact the child's life and that of his family and community.
In addition, the advantages of early diagnosis and intervention have direct and indirect economic consequences. Missed appointments also result in wasted time and reduce efficient management of professionals, thereby causing financial loss.
Various factors have been found related to missed appointments, including: patient characteristics e. The centres provide diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, for complex developmental problems of children from birth to 6 years of age. Applicants are referred by a paediatrician or family physician. In addition, a letter from the child's teacher nursery or kindergarten may be requested, as well as a questionnaire for the parent to complete, describing various aspects of the child's development.
