Why do Queenslanders seek care in emergency departments? A population study

Emergency Medicine Australasia : EMA
Joanna RegoKirsten Vallmuur

Abstract

The present study aims to identify the main reasons for which first time and multiple users seek medical care through Queensland EDs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at eight public EDs among presenting patients (n = 911). The questions measured the sociodemographic characteristics of patients, their beliefs and attitudes towards ED services, and perceptions of health status. Bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the differences between first time and multiple users of EDs. First time and multiple users accounted for 55.5% and 44.5%, respectively. Multiple users themselves were believed to be sicker, have poorer health status, and additional and/or chronic health conditions. Multiple users more strongly believed that their condition required treatment at an ED and perceived their condition as being very serious. Multiple users reported weekly household incomes below $600, and half of the multiple users were not working as compared with 35% first time users. Multivariate analysis showed that multiple use was significantly associated with the existence of additional health problems, having chronic condition, lower self-efficacy and need for ED treatment. Patients who sought care for mu...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 21, 2016·Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine·Ghasem-Sam TolooGerry FitzGerald
Mar 21, 2017·Emergency Medicine Australasia : EMA·Alexandre S Stephens, Richard A Broome
Dec 18, 2019·Emergency Medicine Australasia : EMA·Ghasem Sam TolooDouglas Morel
Nov 18, 2021·Emergency Medicine Australasia : EMA·Ghasem Sam TolooGerry FitzGerald

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