Understanding why older adults choose to seek non-urgent care in the emergency department: the patient's perspective

CJEM
Donna Goodridge, James Stempien

Abstract

Older adults make up a significant proportion of patients seeking care in the ED, with about 25% of these visits classified as "non-urgent." This study explored older adults' understandings, expectations of and self-reported reasons for seeking care and treatment provided in the ED. This qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with CTAS 4-5 patients conducted at randomly selected times and days during ED visits at three Saskatoon facilities in 2016. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data. 115 patients over age 65 years (mean age 79.1 years) were interviewed. While the majority had independently or with family made the decision to attend the ED, almost one-third of patients (31.6%) reported that they had been referred to the ED by general practitioners or specialists. Few respondents indicated the visit was the result of their general practitioner not being available. Most participants cited comprehensiveness and convenience of diagnostic and treatment services in a single location as the primary motivation for seeking treatment in the ED, which was especially important to those in poor health, without family supports, or with functional limitations, personal mobility and/or transportation challenges....Continue Reading

References

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Citations

Aug 25, 2021·International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being·Elin-Sofie ForsgärdeCarina Elmqvist
Sep 21, 2021·Frontiers in Public Health·Susanna GentiliGiuseppe Liotta

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