
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Callen, Joanne L 
A1  - Blundell, Leanne 
A1  - Prgomet, Mirela 
T1  - Emergency department use in a rural Australian setting: are the factors prompting attendance appropriate?
JF  - Australian Health Review
JO  - Aust. Health Review
Y1  - 2008
VL  - 32
IS  - 4
SP  - 710
EP  - 720
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/AH080710 
N2  - Increases in attendance rates at emergency departments (EDs) have prompted concerns regarding inappropriate utilisation. Factors instigating patient ED attendance were examined using a cross sectional survey of 522 patients presenting to the ED of a rural hospital in Australia, during a 1-week period. The results highlighted the importance of the rural hospital ED as an additional and alternate service to existing primary care facilities, particularly outside of business hours. The findings indicated that although patients? perception of an emergency does not necessarily correspond with clinical interpretations, the primary factors prompting attendance, including general practitioner unavailability, referrals and special service needs, suggest that, from a patients? perspective, the majority of presentations to the ED are justified. 
ER  -

