Key Takeaways
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More people are missing doctors’ appointments due to climate-driven temperatures
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The rate of missed appointments increases as a day becomes hotter or colder, researchers found
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Telemedicine might help people make appointments during extreme weather
MONDAY, July 22, 2024 (HealthDay News) — A recent study shows an increase in missed doctors’ appointments due to extreme weather, particularly affecting seniors.
Researchers reported in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine that the rate of missed appointments rises by 0.64% for every 1-degree increase in temperatures reaching 90 degrees or higher.
Similarly, on cold days below 39 degrees, the rate of missed appointments increases by 0.72% for every 1-degree decrease in temperature.
The study found that patients aged 65 and older and those with chronic diseases were the most likely to miss appointments as temperatures became more extreme.
Lead researcher Dr. Janet Fitzpatrick stated that missed appointments not only harm patients’ health, but also impact others by causing downstream consequences.
To address this issue, telemedicine could be a vital solution during extreme weather conditions, according to Fitzpatrick.
Senior researcher Dr. Nathalie May emphasized the importance of monitoring and supporting vulnerable patients amid climate change impacts on health.
Health systems can utilize telemedicine services to provide necessary care to patients during extreme weather circumstances, Fitzpatrick suggested.
For more information, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website on climate change and health.
SOURCE: Drexel University, news release, July 18, 2024
What This Means For You
Consider using telehealth options for doctor’s appointments on days with extreme temperatures to ensure continuity of care.
