'Convenience' of screening mammography facilities plays major role in patient retention

Patients cite "convenience to home or work" as the main reason they changed mammography facilities, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and The Barrett Center in Cincinnati, OH. The study included 303 current mammography patients ("stayers") and 117 patients who no longer received mammography at the university-based center ("leavers"), said Mary C. Mahoney, MD, lead author of the study.

The study showed that among the "leavers" 37% cited convenience to home or work as the reason for leaving the university-based site and choosing a new mammography provider. Other reasons for leaving the university-based site included difficulty scheduling appointments (15%); 14% of those who left the university-based center indicated that their current mammography provider was mandated by their insurance provider.

According to the study, the "stayers" most frequently cited doctor or hospital referral (20%) and the quality of care at the university-based site (19%) as the reasons they chose to continue to have their mammograms there. When asked about the most positive factor regarding the patient's most recent visit, "stayers" most frequently cited friendliness of staff and technologists.

"As a result of this study, we have opened a free-standing patient-centered facility in a more convenient location, designed specifically for our screening mammography patients," said Dr. Mahoney.

Source: American Roentgen Ray Society