Table 2.
Dominant reasons for self-referred patients for visiting the Emergency Department
| Percentage | Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Patients’ assumption that medical care was needed that a GP cannot provide (e.g., X-ray, blood tests) |
28 |
120 |
| Patient was already under specialist care at the study hospital |
17 |
74 |
| There was no GP/GP-cooperative nearby |
16 |
69 |
| Patient could get help earlier at the ED |
15 |
63 |
| The ED was located nearby |
11 |
49 |
| Patient was not registered with a GP |
11 |
48 |
| Patient could not reach the GP/GP-cooperative |
7 |
32 |
| The location of the GP-cooperative was unknown |
5 |
23 |
| Previous negative experience with the GP/GP-cooperative |
4 |
18 |
| Patient had no faith/trust in the GP |
3 |
14 |
| On the advice of others |
3 |
13 |
| Patient perceived the complaint was urgent | 2 | 8 |
Respondents (n = 436) could give more than one answer.