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O’Caoimh R. Validation of the Risk Instrument for Screening in the Community ( RISC) among Older Adults in the Emergency Department. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3734. [PMID: 36834429 PMCID: PMC9966437 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Although several short-risk-prediction instruments are used in the emergency department (ED), there remains insufficient evidence to guide healthcare professionals on their use. The Risk Instrument for Screening in the Community (RISC) is an established screen comprising three Likert scales examining the risk of three adverse outcomes among community-dwelling older adults at one-year: institutionalisation, hospitalisation, and death, which are scored from one (rare/minimal) to five (certain/extreme) and combined into an Overall RISC score. In the present study, the RISC was externally validated by comparing it with different frailty screens to predict risk of hospitalisation (30-day readmission), prolonged length of stay (LOS), one-year mortality, and institutionalisation among 193 consecutive patients aged ≥70 attending a large university hospital ED in Western Ireland, assessed for frailty, determined by comprehensive geriatric assessment. The median LOS was 8 ± 9 days; 20% were re-admitted <30 days; 13.5% were institutionalised; 17% had died; and 60% (116/193) were frail. Based on the area under the ROC curve scores (AUC), the Overall RISC score had the greatest diagnostic accuracy for predicting one-year mortality and institutionalisation: AUC 0.77 (95% CI: 0.68-0.87) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.64-0.82), respectively. None of the instruments were accurate in predicting 30-day readmission (AUC all <0.70). The Overall RISC score had good accuracy for identifying frailty (AUC 0.84). These results indicate that the RISC is an accurate risk-prediction instrument and frailty measure in the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rónán O’Caoimh
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Mercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, T12 WE28 Cork, Ireland; ; Tel.: +353-21-420-5976
- Clinical Research Facility Cork, Mercy University Hospital, University College Cork, T12 WE28 Cork, Ireland
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Mills B, Hill M, Miles A, Smith E, Afrifa-Yamoah E, Reid D, Rogers S, Sim M. Calling an ambulance for non-emergency medical situations: Results of a cross-sectional online survey from an Australian nationally representative sample. Emerg Med Australas 2023; 35:133-141. [PMID: 36113863 PMCID: PMC10087376 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.14086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the Australian general public's perception of appropriate medical scenarios that warrants a call to an emergency ambulance. METHODS An online survey asked participants to identify the likely medical treatment pathway they would take for 17 hypothetical medical scenarios. The number and type of non-emergency scenarios (n = 8) participants incorrectly suggested were appropriate to place a call for an emergency ambulance were calculated. Participants included Australian residents (aged >18 years) who had never worked as an Australian registered medical doctor, nurse or paramedic. RESULTS From a sample of 5264 participants, 40% suggested calling an emergency ambulance for a woman in routine labour was appropriate. Other medical scenarios which were most suggested by participants to warrant an emergency ambulance call was 'Lego in ear canal' (11%), 'Older person bruising' (8%) and 'Flu' (7%). Women, people aged 56+ years, those without a university qualification, with lower household income and with lower emotional wellbeing were more likely to suggest calling an emergency ambulance was appropriate for non-emergency scenarios. CONCLUSIONS Although emergency healthcare system (EHS) capacity not increasing at the same rate as demand is the biggest contributor to EHS burden, non-urgent medical situations for which other low-acuity healthcare pathways may be appropriate does play a small role in adding to the overburdening of the EHS. This present study outlines a series of complaints and demographic characteristics that would benefit from targeted educational interventions that may aid in alleviating ambulance service attendances to low-acuity callouts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brennen Mills
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michella Hill
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Alecka Miles
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Erin Smith
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Eben Afrifa-Yamoah
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David Reid
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Shane Rogers
- School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Moira Sim
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Mills BW, Hill MG, Miles AK, Smith EC, Afrifa-Yamoah E, Reid DN, Rogers SL, Sim MGB. Ability of the Australian general public to identify common emergency medical situations: Results of an online survey of a nationally representative sample. Australas Emerg Care 2022; 25:327-333. [PMID: 35525724 DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the Australian general public's ability to identify common medical emergencies as requiring an emergency response. METHODS An online survey asked participants to identify likely medical treatment pathways they would take for 17 hypothetical medical scenarios (eight emergency and nine non-emergency). The number and type of emergency scenarios participants correctly suggested warranted an emergency medical response was examined. Participants included Australian residents (aged >18 years; n = 5264) who had never worked as an Australian registered medical doctor, nurse or paramedic. RESULTS Most emergencies were predominately correctly classified as requiring emergency responses (e.g. Severe chest pain, 95% correct). However, non-emergency medical responses were often chosen for some emergency scenarios, such as a child suffering from a scalp haematoma (67%), potential meningococcal disease (57%), a box jellyfish sting (40%), a paracetamol overdose (37%), and mild chest pain (26%). Participants identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander suggested a non-emergency response to emergency scenarios 40% more often compared with non-indigenous participants. CONCLUSIONS Educational interventions targeting specific medical symptoms may work to alleviate delayed emergency medical intervention. This research highlights a particular need for improving symptom identification and healthcare system confidence amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brennen W Mills
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia.
| | - Michella G Hill
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia
| | - Alecka K Miles
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia
| | - Erin C Smith
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia
| | | | - David N Reid
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia
| | - Shane L Rogers
- School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University, Australia
| | - Moira G B Sim
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia
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Fatima Y, Hays R, Knight S, Neilson A, Fleming R, Panaretto K, Jatrana S, Skinner I. Drivers of general practice-type presentations to the emergency department in a remote outback community. Aust J Rural Health 2021; 29:391-398. [PMID: 34051017 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the number of general practice-appropriate attendances in a remote emergency department and explore the reasons for patients' choice of service. DESIGN A four-step case study approach was adopted, focusing on hospital emergency department (ED) attendances that were potentially manageable in general practice. SETTING A large, remote community with substantial populations of Indigenous peoples and fly-in, fly-out mining industry workers. The ED is experiencing rapid growth in demand for services for lower urgency. PARTICIPANTS Patients attending the emergency department with lower urgency problems. INTERVENTIONS ED attendance data for 2016 were reviewed to identify lower urgency presentations. Patient records for 400 randomly selected presentations were subject to deeper analysis. A prospective survey was conducted over 6 months of 369 ED patients with lower urgency presentations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The proportion of patients attending the ED with GP-appropriate problems and influences on their decisions to attend the ED. RESULTS About 48% of all attendances met the agreed definition of GP-appropriate problems. About half of presentations were during the normal work hours and about half of patients stated that GP services were unavailable. Younger age, lack of information about local GP services, and perceptions of convenience contributed significantly to seeking ED care. CONCLUSION Increasing the availability of GP services alone is unlikely to be sufficient to change service utilisation. Strategies should include raising community awareness of how and when to utilise the appropriate service, understanding different models of care, and the need to register with a general practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqoot Fatima
- Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University, Mount Isa, QLD, Australia.,Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard Hays
- Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University, Mount Isa, QLD, Australia
| | - Sabina Knight
- Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University, Mount Isa, QLD, Australia
| | - Anne Neilson
- Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, Kingaroy, QLD, Australia
| | - Rhonda Fleming
- Western Queensland Primary Health Network, Mount Isa, QLD, Australia
| | - Kathryn Panaretto
- Gidgee Healing, Mount Isa, QLD, Australia.,University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Santosh Jatrana
- Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University, Mount Isa, QLD, Australia
| | - Isabelle Skinner
- Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University, Mount Isa, QLD, Australia
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Work–family conflict and job performance: mediating role of work engagement in healthcare employees. JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/jmo.2021.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
This study aims to examine the mediating role of work engagement in the effect of work interfering with the family (WIF) and family interfering with the work (FIW) on employees' employee-rated and supervisor-rated contextual and task performance, drawing on Job Demands and Job Resources model. The sample of the study consisted of 432 healthcare employees and 61 supervisors working for public hospitals in Turkey. We found support for a mediational model such that the relationship between FIW and employee-rated job performance (contextual and task) was mediated by work engagement. Although some studies examined how work–family conflict affects job performance, our knowledge on how these relationships can be mediated through work engagement is still limited. This study further investigates the underlying mechanism in the relationship between WFC and job performance.
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Association of Insurance With Use of Emergency Medical Services Among Children. Pediatr Emerg Care 2020; 36:e500-e507. [PMID: 29189593 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000001352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The use of emergency medical services (EMS) can be lifesaving for critically ill children and should be defined by the child's clinical need. Our objective was to determine whether nonclinical demographic factors and insurance status are associated with EMS use among children presenting to the emergency department (ED). METHODS In this cross-sectional study using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, we included children presenting to EDs from 2009 to 2014. We evaluated the association between EMS use and patients' insurance status using multivariable logistic regressions, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors such as illness severity as measured by a modified and recalibrated version of the Revised Pediatric Emergency Assessment Tool (mRePEAT) and the presence of comorbidities or chronic conditions. A propensity score analysis was performed to validate our findings. RESULTS Of the estimated 191,299,454 children presenting to EDs, 11,178,576 (5.8%) arrived by EMS and 171,145,895 (89.5%) arrived by other means. Children arriving by EMS were more ill [mRePEAT score, 1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12-1.14 vs mRePEAT score, 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.02] and more likely to have a comorbidity or chronic condition (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.80-3.59). In the adjusted analyses, the odds of EMS use were higher for uninsured children and lower for children with public insurance compared with children with private insurance [OR (95% CI): uninsured, 1.41 (1.12-1.78); public, 0.77 (0.65-0.90)]. The propensity score analysis showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to adult patients, children with public insurance are less likely to use EMS than children with private insurance, even after adjustment for illness severity and other confounders.
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Turnbull J, McKenna G, Prichard J, Rogers A, Crouch R, Lennon A, Pope C. Sense-making strategies and help-seeking behaviours associated with urgent care services: a mixed-methods study. HEALTH SERVICES AND DELIVERY RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.3310/hsdr07260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundPolicy has been focused on reducing unnecessary emergency department attendances by providing more responsive urgent care services and guiding patients to ‘the right place’. The variety of services has created a complex urgent care landscape for people to access and navigate.ObjectivesTo describe how the public, providers and policy-makers define and make sense of urgent care; to explain how sense-making influences patients’ strategies and choices; to analyse patient ‘work’ in understanding, navigating and choosing urgent care; to explain urgent care utilisation; and to identify potentially modifiable factors in decision-making.DesignMixed-methods sequential design.SettingFour counties in southern England coterminous with a NHS 111 provider area.MethodsA literature review of policy and research combined with citizens’ panels and serial qualitative interviews. Four citizens’ panels were conducted with the public, health-care professionals, commissioners and managers (n = 41). Three populations were sampled for interview: people aged ≥ 75 years, people aged 18–26 years and East European people. In total, 134 interviews were conducted. Analyses were integrated to develop a conceptual model of urgent care help-seeking.FindingsThe literature review identified some consensus between policy and provider perspectives regarding the physiological factors that feature in conceptualisations of urgent care. However, the terms ‘urgent’ and ‘emergency’ lack specificity or consistency in meaning. Boundaries between urgent and emergency care are ill-defined. We constructed a typology that distinguishes three types of work that take place at both the individual and social network levels in relation to urgent care sense-making and help-seeking.Illness workinvolves interpretation and decision-making about the meaning, severity and management of physical symptoms and psychological states, and the assessment and management of possible risks. Help-seeking was guided bymoral work: the legitimation and sanctioning done by service users.Navigation workconcerned choosing and accessing services and relied on prior knowledge of what was available, accessible and acceptable. From these empirical data, we developed a model of urgent care sense-making and help-seeking behaviour that emphasises that work informs the interaction between what we think and feel about illness and the need to seek care (sense-making) and action – the decisions we take and how we use urgent care (help-seeking).LimitationsThe sample population of our three groups may not have adequately reflected a diverse range of views and experiences. The study enabled us to capture people’s views and self-reported service use rather than their actual behaviour.ConclusionsMuch of the policy surrounding urgent and emergency care is predicated on the notion that ‘urgent’ sits neatly between emergency and routine; however, service users in particular struggle to distinguish urgent from emergency or routine care. Rather than focusing on individual sense-making, future work should attend to social and temporal contexts that have an impact on help-seeking (e.g. why people find it more difficult to manage pain at night), and how different social networks shape service use.Future workA whole-systems approach considering integration across a wider network of partners is key to understanding the complex relationships between demand for and access to urgent care.Study registrationThis study is registered as UKCRN 32207.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Turnbull
- School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Gemma McKenna
- School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jane Prichard
- School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Anne Rogers
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) Wessex, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Robert Crouch
- Emergency Department, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS), Southampton, UK
| | - Andrew Lennon
- Southern Headquarters, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS), Winchester, UK
| | - Catherine Pope
- School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Borg K, Wright B, Sannen L, Dumas D, Walker T, Bragge P. Ambulances are for emergencies: shifting attitudes through a research-informed behaviour change campaign. Health Res Policy Syst 2019; 17:31. [PMID: 30922335 PMCID: PMC6437887 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-019-0430-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Victoria, Australia, emergency calls requesting an ambulance have been increasing at a rate higher than population growth. While most of these calls are for genuine emergencies, many do not require an immediate ambulance response. A collaborative research approach was undertaken to address this issue. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of applying a behaviour change approach to this challenge by first addressing antecedents of behaviour (attitudes, awareness and knowledge). Methods The project included a formative research phase to inform the design of a mass media campaign and subsequent evaluation of the campaign. Results Results indicated that the campaign was successful in increasing community attitudes towards ambulances as being for emergencies only, particularly among those familiar with the campaign material and with other health service options (such as telephone advice lines). Conclusions These findings provide support for adopting the Forum approach to increase the chances that a mass media campaign will achieve its stated objectives. Recommendations for future campaign activities are discussed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12961-019-0430-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Borg
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, 8 Scenic Boulevard, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
| | - Breanna Wright
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, 8 Scenic Boulevard, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Liz Sannen
- Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Peter Bragge
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, 8 Scenic Boulevard, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
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Jansen T, Rademakers J, Waverijn G, Verheij R, Osborne R, Heijmans M. The role of health literacy in explaining the association between educational attainment and the use of out-of-hours primary care services in chronically ill people: a survey study. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18:394. [PMID: 29855365 PMCID: PMC5984471 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3197-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Low socioeconomic status (SES) is persistently associated with poor health and suboptimal use of healthcare services, and more unplanned healthcare use. Suboptimal use of emergency and acute healthcare services may increase health inequalities, due to late diagnosis or lack of continuity of care. Given that health literacy has been associated with healthcare utilisation and with education attainment, we sought to explore whether health literacy is related to the use of out-of-hours (OOH) Primary Care Services (PCSs). Additionally, we aimed to study whether and to what extent health literacy accounts for some of the association between education and OOH PSC use. Methods A survey including measures of education attainment, health literacy (assessed by means of the Dutch version of the nine-dimension Health Literacy Questionnaire) and use of PCS was conducted among a sample of adults diagnosed with (any) somatic chronic condition in the Netherlands (response 76.3%, n = 1811). We conducted linear and logistic regression analyses to examine associations between education level and PCS use in the past year. We performed mediation analyses to assess whether the association between education and PCS use was (partly) explained by different aspects of health literacy. We adjusted the models for patient characteristics such as age and morbidity. Results Higher education attainment was associated with higher scores on the health literacy aspects Appraisal of health information, and Navigating the healthcare system. Additionally, appraisal and navigating the healthcare system partially accounted for educational differences in PCS use. Finally, higher appraisal of health information scores were associated with higher PCS utilisation. Conclusion Several aspects of health literacy were demonstrated to relate to PCS use, and partly accounted for educational differences herein. Accordingly, developing health literacy within individuals or communities may help to reduce inappropriate PCS use among people with low education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Jansen
- NIVEL - Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, PO Box 1568, 3500 BN, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513, CR, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jany Rademakers
- NIVEL - Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, PO Box 1568, 3500 BN, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513, CR, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Family Medicine, School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Geeke Waverijn
- NIVEL - Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, PO Box 1568, 3500 BN, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513, CR, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Verheij
- NIVEL - Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, PO Box 1568, 3500 BN, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513, CR, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Osborne
- Health Systems Improvement Unit, Centre for Population Health Research, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC, Geelong, 3125, Australia.,Department of Public Health, The University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Postboks 2099, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Monique Heijmans
- NIVEL - Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, PO Box 1568, 3500 BN, Otterstraat 118-124, 3513, CR, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Booker MJ, Shaw ARG, Purdy S. Why do patients with 'primary care sensitive' problems access ambulance services? A systematic mapping review of the literature. BMJ Open 2015; 5:e007726. [PMID: 25991458 PMCID: PMC4442240 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Emergency ambulance use for problems that could be managed in primary care continues to rise owing to complex reasons that are poorly understood. The objective of this systematic review is to draw together published evidence across a variety of study methodologies and settings to gain a better understanding of why patients seek help from ambulance services for these problems. DESIGN Systematic searches were undertaken across the MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Health Management Information Consortium and Health Management Information Service publication databases. Google Scholar, Web of Science, OpenSigle, EThOS and DART databases were also systematically searched for reports, proceedings, book chapters and theses, along with hand-searching of grey literature sources. Studies were included if they reported on findings examining patient, carer, health professional or service management interactions with ambulance services for primary care problems. All study methodologies and perspectives were of interest. Data were extracted, quality assessed and systematically mapped according to key findings through generation of an iterative framework. RESULTS A total of 31 studies met inclusion criteria. Findings were summarised across 5 broad categories: factors associated with individual patients; actions of care-givers and bystanders; population-level factors; health infrastructure factors; challenges faced by health professionals. A number of subcategories were developed to explore these factors in more detail. CONCLUSIONS This review reports important factors that may impact on ambulance use for primary care problems across a global setting, including demographic measures associated with deprivation, minority status and individual social circumstances. Categorising ambulance calls for primary care problems as 'inappropriate' is context dependant and may be unhelpful. Potential implications for triage and risk management strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Booker
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, School of Social and Community Medicine University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Ali R G Shaw
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, School of Social and Community Medicine University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sarah Purdy
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, School of Social and Community Medicine University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Freed GL, Gafforini S, Carson N. Age distribution of emergency department presentations in Victoria. Emerg Med Australas 2015; 27:102-7. [PMID: 25690308 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.12368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe patterns of ED utilisation over time, by patient age group and triage classification. METHODS Secondary analysis of data from all patients presenting to EDs in Victoria utilising the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD) for the years 2002-2013. The VEMD includes all hospitals in Victoria with 24 h EDs. RESULTS The absolute number of presentations to EDs in Victoria has grown by over 52% in the last 11 years. The triage categories of highest urgency (1-3) grew by 89% whereas the categories of lowest urgency (4-5) grew by 33%. Over this period, the 5 year age band with the greatest number of ED presentations has consistently been, by far, children 0-4 years of age. This age group has seen an increase of 29% in ED presentations overall with a >55% increase in Triage 1-3, and an increase of 16% in triage 4-5. For all age groups, there has been little change in the number of triage category 4-5 presentations since 2007/2008. However, for triage categories 1-3, there have been consistent increases in presentations across all age groups. CONCLUSION The age range with the greatest absolute number of ED presentations in Victoria is children 0-4 years of age. This finding is consistent over time and across all triage classifications. The age range with the second highest absolute number of ED presentations is comprised of those 20-24 years of age. This is in contrast to the frequent public attention placed on the volume of ED presentations by the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary L Freed
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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12
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Read JG, Varughese S, Cameron PA. Determinants of non-urgent Emergency Department attendance among females in Qatar. Qatar Med J 2014; 2014:98-105. [PMID: 25745599 PMCID: PMC4344983 DOI: 10.5339/qmj.2014.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 08/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of emergency department (ED) services for non-urgent conditions is well-studied in many Western countries but much less so in the Middle East and Gulf region. While the consequences are universal-a drain on ED resources and poor patient outcomes-the causes and solutions are likely to be region and country specific. Unique social and economic circumstances also create gender-specific motivations for patient attendance. Alleviating demand on ED services requires understanding these circumstances, as past studies have shown. We undertook this study to understand why female patients with low-acuity conditions choose the emergency department in Qatar over other healthcare options. SETTING AND DESIGN Prospective study at Hamad General Hospital's (HGH) emergency department female "see-and-treat" unit that treats low-acuity cases. One hundred female patients were purposively recruited to participate in the study. Three trained physicians conducted semi-structured interviews with patients over a three-month period after they had been treated and given informed consent. RESULTS The study found that motivations for ED attendance were systematically influenced by employment status as an expatriate worker. Forty percent of the sample had been directed to the ED by their employers, and the vast majority (89%) of this group cited employer preference as the primary reason for choosing the ED. The interviews revealed that a major obstacle to workers using alternative facilities was the lack of a government-issued health card, which is available to all citizens and residents at a nominal rate. CONCLUSION Reducing the number of low-acuity cases in the emergency department at HGH will require interventions aimed at encouraging patients with non-urgent conditions to use alternative healthcare facilities. Potential interventions include policy changes that require employers to either provide workers with a health card or compel employees to acquire one for themselves.
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Durand AC, Palazzolo S, Tanti-Hardouin N, Gerbeaux P, Sambuc R, Gentile S. Nonurgent patients in emergency departments: rational or irresponsible consumers? Perceptions of professionals and patients. BMC Res Notes 2012; 5:525. [PMID: 23006316 PMCID: PMC3515357 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background For several decades, overcrowding in emergency departments (EDs) has been intensifying due to the increased number of patients seeking care in EDs. Demand growth is partly due to misuse of EDs by patients who seek care for nonurgent problems. This study explores the reasons why people with nonurgent complaints choose to come to EDs, and how ED health professionals perceive the phenomenon of “nonurgency”. Results Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 10 EDs with 87 nonurgent patients and 34 health professionals. Interviews of patients revealed three themes: (1) fulfilled health care needs, (2) barriers to primary care providers (PCPs), and (3) convenience. Patients chose EDs as discerning health consumers: they preferred EDs because they had difficulties obtaining a rapid appointment. Access to technical facilities in EDs spares the patient from being overwhelmed with appointments with various specialists. Four themes were identified from the interviews of health professionals: (1) the problem of defining a nonurgent visit, (2) explanations for patients’ use of EDs for nonurgent complaints, (3) consequences of nonurgent visits, and (4) solutions to counter this tendency. Conclusions Studies on the underlying reasons patients opt for the ED, as well as on their decision-making process, are lacking. The present study highlighted discrepancies between the perceptions of ED patients and those of health professionals, with a special focus on patient behaviour. To explain the use of ED, health professionals based themselves on the acuity and urgency of medical problems, while patients focused on rational reasons to initiate care in the ED (accessibility to health care resources, and the context in which the medical problem occurred). In spite of some limitations due to the slightly outdated nature of our data, as well as the difficulty of categorizing nonurgent situations, our findings show the importance of conducting a detailed analysis of the demand for health care. Understanding it is crucial, as it is the main determining factor in the utilization of health care resources, and provides promising insights into the phenomenon of ED usage increase. For reforms to be successful, the process of decision-making for unscheduled patients will have to be thoroughly investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Claire Durand
- Laboratoire de Santé Publique, Faculté de Médecine, Equipe de recherche EA 3279 "Evaluation hospitalière-Mesure de la santé perçue", 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 5, France.
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