Predictors of intent to utilize the emergency department among a free clinic's patients.
Am J Emerg Med 2023;
71:25-30. [PMID:
37327708 PMCID:
PMC10527010 DOI:
10.1016/j.ajem.2023.06.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Primary care use helps reduce utilization of more expensive modes of care, such as the emergency department (ED). Although most studies have investigated this association among patients with insurance, few have done so for patients without insurance. We used data from a free clinic network to assess the association between free clinic use and intent to use the ED.
METHODS
Data were collected from a free clinic network's electronic health records on adult patients from January 2015 to February 2020. Our outcome was whether patients reported themselves as 'very likely' to visit the ED if the free clinics were unavailable. The independent variable was frequency of free clinic use. Using a multivariable logistic regression model, we controlled for other factors, such as patient demographic factors, social determinants of health, health status, and year effect.
RESULTS
Our sample included 5008 visits. When controlling for other factors, higher odds of expressing ED interest were observed for patients who are non-Hispanic Black, older, not married, lived with others, had lower education, were homeless, had personal transportation, lived in rural areas, and had a higher comorbidity burden. In sensitivity analyses, higher odds were observed for dental, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, or respiratory conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
In the free clinic space, several patient demographic, social determinants of health and medical conditions were independently associated with greater odds of reporting intent on visiting the ED. Additional interventions that improve access and use of free clinics (e.g., dental) may keep patients without insurance from the ED.
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