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Table 1 Inductive category formation regarding the advantages and disadvantages of a reminder service

From: Optimizing telemedical care in neurological outpatients by characterizing the patients’ needs in the physician–patient relationship—content analysis of guideline-based interviews

Category

Absolute mentions in the interviews; N = 16

Relative mentions in the interviews in %

Benefits

Avoidable causes of missing the appointment

B2

The patient forgets the appointment

8

50

B1

The patient doesn’t make a note of the appointment

1

6.3

Advantages for the patient

B6

A reminder improves planning for everyday life

3

18.8

B7

A reminder means that the patient does not have to pay attention to the appointment himself

2

12.5

B4

After a new appointment has been made, the waiting times are very long

1

6.3

B8

For the patient, the appointment can be very important

1

6.3

Unavoidable causes of missing the appointment

B3

The patient can’t keep the appointment due to an illness

1

6.3

Advantages for the physician’s office

B5

Reduction of waiting times for the physician’s office, because the patients will miss the appointments less

1

6.3

Challenges

Not necessary

C1

The patient says that he/she isn’t forgetful

7

43.8

C4

The patient does make a note of the appointment

7

43.8

C2

The patient uses his/her smartphone for reminding

1

6.3

C5

The patient only forgets appointments which aren’t important

1

6.3

Not practical

C6

The patient says that it will annoy him/her

2

12.5

C7

The patient is very busy

2

12.5

C8

The patient doesn’t check his phone as much as necessary

2

12.5

C3

It hasn’t worked in the past

1

6.3

Other reasons

C9

The patient is afraid of crime

1

6.3