Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions of Challenges with Frequent Users of Emergency Department Care in Switzerland

A Qualitative Study

Bibliographic Data

ID13776165
AuthorsPatrick Bodenmann (0000-0002-1058-1035, University of Lausanne), Miriam Kasztura (0000-0001-5017-4605, University of Lausanne), Madison Graells (University of Lausanne), Elodie Schmutz (0000-0002-3814-0581, University of Lausanne), Oriane Chastonay (0000-0002-4735-4979, University of Lausanne), Marina Canepa-Allen (University of Lausanne), Joanna C Moullin (0000-0002-4103-7569, Curtin University), Joanna Moullin (Curtin University), Michael von Allmen (0000-0002-2636-801X, University of Lausanne), Mélissa Lemoine (0000-0002-4016-649X, University of Lausanne), Olivier Hügli (0000-0003-2312-1625, Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Switzerland), Jean‐bernard Daeppen (0000-0001-7059-1393, Addiction Switzerland), Jean-Bernard Daeppen (Addiction Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Lausanne, Switzerland), Véronique S Grazioli (0000-0003-1956-7712, University of Lausanne, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume58
Pages469580211028173-469580211028173
Publication date2021-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueINQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0046-9580 • E-ISSN: 1945-7243
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00469580211028173
PMID34328025
OpenAlexW3184589111
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited27

Frequent users of emergency departments (FUED; ≥ 5 ED visits/year) commonly cumulate medical, social, and substance use problems requiring complex and sustained care coordination often unavailable in ED. This study aimed to explore ED healthcare providers' challenges related to FUED care to gain insight into the support and resources required to address FUED complex needs. An online survey was sent to all general adult emergency services within Switzerland (N = 106). Participants were asked to indicate the extent to which they perceived that FUED represented a problem and to describe the main challenges encountered. In total, 208 physicians and nurses from 75 EDs (70.7%) completed the survey. Among the 208 participants, 134 (64%) reported that FUED represented a challenge and 133 described 1 to 5 challenges encountered. A conventional content analysis yielded 4 main categories of perceived challenges. Negative consequences in the ED secondary to FUED's presence (eg, ED overcrowding, staff helplessness, and fatigue) was the most frequently reported challenge, followed by challenges related to FUEDs' characteristics (eg, mental health and social problems) leading to healthcare complexity. The third most frequently encountered challenge was related to the ED inappropriateness and inefficiency to address FUEDs' needs. Finally, challenges related to the lack of FUED healthcare network were the least often mentioned. ED healthcare providers experience a wide range of challenges related to FUED care. These findings suggest that currently EDs nor their staff are equipped to address FUEDs' complex needs

Emergency department · Health care · Medical emergency · Overcrowding · Perception · Chronic Disease Management Strategies · Emergency and Acute Care Studies · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology

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