Exploring real-time patient decision-making for acute care: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Research has described emergency department (ED) use patterns in detail. However, evidence is lacking on how, at the time a decision is made, patients decide if healthcare is required or where to seek care.

Methods

Using community-based participatory research methods, we conducted a mixed-methods descriptive pilot study. Due to the exploratory, hypothesis-generating nature of this research, we did not perform power calculations, and financial constraints only allowed for 20 participants. Hypothetical vignettes for the 10 most common low acuity primary care complaints (cough, sore throat, back pain, etc.) were texted to patients twice daily over six weeks, none designed to influence the patient's decision to seek care. We conducted focus groups to gain contextual

SUBMITTER: Sharp AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4162728 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature