Factors associated with choice of health service delivery for after-hours, urgent, non-life-threatening conditions: a patient survey
John William Adie
A D , Wayne Graham B and Marianne Wallis A C
A University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedicine, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore BC, Qld 4558, Australia.
B University of the Sunshine Coast, School Business and Creative Industries, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore BC, Qld 4558, Australia.
C Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Campus, Faculty of Health, Gold Coast Airport, Terminal Drive, Bilinga, Qld 4225, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: johnadie@gmail.com
Australian Journal of Primary Health 28(2) 137-142 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY21078
Submitted: 14 April 2021 Accepted: 9 November 2021 Published: 1 February 2022
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with patient or carer choice of presentation to an emergency department, an urgent care clinic and an after-hours general practice on Sundays in south-east Queensland. The design of the study was a cross-sectional survey of patients or carers. The study setting was an emergency department, an urgent care clinic and an after-hours general practice. Patients or carers of patients were invited to take part in the study while they were waiting to consult the doctor. Patients were more likely to present to community clinics (i.e. urgent care clinic and an after-hours general practice) if they usually came to the facility (P < 0.001), were concerned about cost (P < 0.001), were influenced by the perceived severity of the sickness (P < 0.001), were unable to get an appointment elsewhere (P < 0.001), thought that there would be less waiting time (P < 0.001) and thought there was better doctor explanation (P = 0.007). This research was limited to 337 surveys. Larger studies could further explore insights gained from this study. The results suggest that public health campaigns could focus on promoting community clinic care for urgent non-life-threatening conditions. These campaigns should include information on waiting times, need for referral, conditions safely managed, range of services provided and quality of service. Designing community facilities for hospital avoidance of patients with non-life-threatening urgent conditions could involve public health campaigns, facility upgrades, and subsidies for transport and attendance.
Keywords: urgent care, primary healthcare, general practice, minor illness and injury, after-hours.
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