The Nudge Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An evaluation of the use of the ‘Nudge Theory’ in reducing missed appointments in a physiotherapy outpatient department.
IRAS ID
143090
Contact name
Peter Worsley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Research summary
Missed outpatient appointments are estimated to cost the NHS millions of pounds a year, as well as lengthening already stretched waiting lists. The reasons for these missed appointments differs from service to service, however there is little evidence to explain the reasons behind them. This project aims to gain a better understanding of why people do not attend (DNA) their appointments in the Queen Alexandra Hospital Physiotherapy Outpatients Department. This will be done by mailing out questionnaires to people who have missed at least one appointment during the months of November and December 2013, this will aim to gain a better understanding of the reasons for DNAs. The second phase of the study is to then apply some changes in the department based on the themes found from the questionnaire, in line with the Nudge Theory in order to try and decrease the number of DNAs.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EM/0472
Date of REC Opinion
11 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion