Abstract
Lack of access to a primary care physician has been cited as a major influence on the patterns of emergency department use by low income patients. This study, however, clearly suggests that some other, equally important, variables influence this problem. Seven hundred ninety-four visits to the emergency department during 1980 by patients from the practice of a minority physician were reviewed. The study supported other reports of frequent and inappropriate use of the emergency department by welfare patients, in spite of the availability of the family physician. The high percentage of nontrauma-related visits, especially in the age group of 20 to 30 year olds, strongly suggests the influence of sociocultural factors in this occurrence. Although further study is necessary, investigators must be cautious that the complexity of the situation could belie any quick fix.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Caplan C. Emergency room use by patients from a family practice. Patterns of illness and motivation. J Fam Pract. 1975 Aug;2(4):271–276. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Geyman J. P. Trends and concerns in emergency room utilization. J Fam Pract. 1980 Jul;11(1):23–24. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Jacobs A. R., Gavett J. W., Wersinger R. Emergency Department utilization in an urban community. Implications for community ambulatory care. JAMA. 1971 Apr 12;216(2):307–312. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Nelson D. A., Nelson M. A., Shank J. C., Thompson F. L. Emergency room misuse by medical assistance patients in a family practice residency. J Fam Pract. 1979 Feb;8(2):341–345. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stokes L. Search for better health care in the black community. J Natl Med Assoc. 1978 Oct;70(10):749–752. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Williams J. F. The ghetto emergency room. J Natl Med Assoc. 1979 Oct;71(10):1020–1022. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]