Extreme heat is causing more older adults over the age of 65 to miss doctors’ appointments, especially among those with chronic diseases, a new study finds.
For every 1-degree increase in temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the rate of missed primary care appointments goes up 0.64%, according to a June report in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Extreme cold is also to blame for missed appointments. The rate of missed appointments increases by 0.72% for every 1-degree that the temperature went below 39 degrees, the data showed.
Researchers monitored more than 1 million appointments for 91,580 adult patients at 13 university outpatient clinics in Philadelphia between 2009 and 2019. People who had chronic diseases were more likely to have missed appointments linked to extreme temperatures.
The authors said that their findings show that primary care doctors should explore different modes of care to support vulnerable individuals, such as adding telehealth options during heat waves and winter storms.
“When patients don’t show up at appointments, they damage their own health and also cause downstream consequences for others,” according to Janet Fitzpatrick, MD, a clinical associate professor with the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia and a lead researcher, in a HealthDay article.
Fitzpatrick also said in a statement: “No-shows waste valuable appointment slots that could be used for others anxiously awaiting appointments and can lead to decreased patient satisfaction due to longer wait times. It also makes our nation’s healthcare system more expensive, due to increased use of urgent care and emergency room visits, and poorer management of chronic illness leading to more medical care needed in the future.”
Other researchers weighed in.
“Extreme temperatures from climate change threaten the health and well-being of all patients with chronic health conditions,” Nathalie May, MD, a professor with the Drexel College of Medicine, said.
“We must be especially vigilant for our most vulnerable patients who may not have the resources to combat extreme heat or extreme cold stretches,” May added. “In studying the impact of climate change in primary care utilization, we hope to promote policies that support health and equity in light of the negative effects of climate change, especially in cities.”
Health systems can counter this trend by leaning on telemedicine, Fitzpatrick said.
“During the COVID pandemic, telemedicine became an integral part of healthcare delivery,” Fitzpatrick said. “With worsening climate change, this study supports advocating for permanent telemedicine coverage as an option to ensure patients can get the care they need.”
