Dec 9, 2019
"Jaime taught me that missed visits are important data points, rather than the lack thereof. They suggest that a patient could be struggling to contend with poverty, housing insecurity, immigration status concerns, domestic violence, immobility, untreated mental illness, or prior experiences facing racism when seeking care. While these forces may not be visible through the electronic medical record, they pose powerful threats to good health. Their effects warrant prompt diagnosis and an effective assessment and plan."
Resident Cameron Nutt (@cameronnutt) discovers through a lucky Uber ride that when patients miss follow-up appointments, it could be a sign that other issues are at play, issues that require follow up.
This essay was published in the Teaching and Learning Moments column in the December 2019 issue of Academic Medicine. Read the essay at academicmedicine.org.