Patient motives for contacting out-of-hours care in Denmark: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients in need of acute health care do not always contact the most suitable health care service provider. Contacting out-of-hours primary care for an urgent problem may delay care, whereas contacting emergency medical services for a non-urgent problem could ultimately affect patient safety. More insight into patient motives for contacting a specific health care provider may help optimise patient flows. This study aims to explore patient motives for contacting out-of-hours primary care and the emergency medical services in Denmark.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional observational study by sending a questionnaire to patients contacting out-of-hours primary care and emergency medical services, both of which can be directly contacted by patients, in two of five

SUBMITTER: Huibers L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7079359 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature