Why do patients end up in the emergency department? A multi-hospital survey of factors and barriers to utilizing other medical care options

Autor: Stube, Charles
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Druh dokumentu: Thesis/Dissertation
Popis: BACKGROUND: There are several options for receiving emergent care besides Emergency Departments (EDs), such as Primary Care Physicians (PCPs), Urgent Care Centers (UCCs), and telehealth medicine. However, it is unknown if these alternative modes of care have decreased the amount of ED visits for patients or if they are often considered before visiting the ED. A comprehensive study examining these potential methods of care has never been done before. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to identify any factors or barriers that may have influenced a patient’s choice to visit the ED as opposed to an UCC, telehealth, or another local ED. METHODS: The study involved administering a survey to ED patients between three hospital sites in the greater Buffalo area. The survey consisted of questions regarding the patients’ reasoning for choosing the ED over the alternative care options. The study also involved a medical record review of the patients’ diagnoses, tests/procedures, consults, and final disposition after completion of the survey. RESULTS: 187 patients provided written consent to participate in the study. Forty seven (25.1%) patients considered a visit to an UCC while only 7 (3.7%) considered telehealth medicine. Patients’ perceived seriousness of their condition was the most common reason for their selected transportation to the ED and choosing the ED as opposed to alternative modes of care (PCP, UCC, telehealth), particularly in the suburban hospital care setting. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that there may be lack of understanding of seriousness of symptoms and where to best receive and manage those conditions in suburban areas.
2026-03-11T00:00:00Z
Databáze: Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations
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