Who comes back to a paediatric outpatient clinic?

Over a four week period, 498 children had appointments to be seen again at a paediatric medical outpatient clinic. 15.8% of the patients did not keep their appointments. The three most common types of disorder accounting for over half the consultations were asthma, neurological/developmental problems and genitourinary conditions. Over half (57%) had been referred within the previous two years, and only 29% had been seen for three or more years. Involvement with other medical and paramedical specialists occurred in 55%. This reflected the multidisciplinary management approach for the longer term patients. Only 14 new such referrals were generated as a result of the consultations over the four week study period. The work of the clinic was concerned with relevant chronic disease.