This study explores missed pediatric speech and language pathology (SLP) appointments to identify barriers for patients with speech disorders. Data from 839 referrals at Boston Medical Center, including demographics, appointment details, COVID-19 lockdown, and number of items on patient problem lists, were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. The findings revealed that lockdown status, appointment timing, appointment type (in-person vs telemedicine), referral department (ear, nose, and throat [ENT] vs non-ENT), sex, race, primary language, birthplace, and primary care provider presence had no significant impact on attendance. However, the number of patient-listed problems, prior cancelations, and missed appointments were significant predictors of patients who did not keep appointments. In conclusion, this research emphasizes the patient’s problem list and past appointment behavior as critical factors in predicting missed SLP appointments for pediatric speech disorder patients. These insights can guide targeted interventions to improve attendance and enhance SLP engagement.

中文翻译：

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导致患有言语障碍的儿童错过言语和语言病理学预约的预约因素

本研究探讨了错过的儿科言语和语言病理学 (SLP) 预约，以确定言语障碍患者的障碍。使用卡方检验和逻辑回归分析了波士顿医疗中心 839 份转诊的数据，包括人口统计、预约详细信息、COVID-19 封锁以及患者问题清单上的项目数量。调查结果显示，封锁状态、预约时间、预约类型（面对面医疗与远程医疗）、转诊科室（耳鼻喉 [ENT] 与非耳鼻喉科）、性别、种族、主要语言、出生地和初级保健提供者的存在对出勤率没有显着影响。然而，患者列出的问题、之前取消预约和错过预约的数量是患者不按时预约的重要预测因素。总之，本研究强调患者的问题清单和过去的预约行为是预测儿童言语障碍患者错过 SLP 预约的关键因素。这些见解可以指导有针对性的干预措施，以提高出勤率并增强 SLP 参与度。