Understanding young adults' reasons for seeking 'clinically unnecessary' urgent and emergency care: A qualitative interview study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies have identified young adults as more likely to use emergency departments for 'clinically unnecessary' problems, with limited similar evidence for emergency ambulance use. Media portrayals depict young adults as motivated by 'convenience', but little research has explored the reasons for their help-seeking behaviour.

Methods

Qualitative interviews with 16 young adults (18-30) considered by clinicians to have made unnecessary use of emergency ambulance, emergency department or an urgent GP appointment. Data analysis was informed by interpretive phenomenological analysis.

Findings

A number of interrelated factors contributed to participants' decisions. They were anxious about the seriousness of their symptoms, sometimes exacerbated by reduced coping ca

SUBMITTER: Long J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8369113 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature