scholarly journals Factors associated with choosing the emergency department as the primary access point to health care: a Canadian population cross-sectional study

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (04) ◽  
pp. 271-276
Author(s):  
Robert Ohle ◽  
Michelle Ohle ◽  
Jeffrey J. Perry
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Primary Care Physician ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Access Point ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract Objective Approximately 4.3 million Canadians are without a primary care physician, of which 13% choose the emergency department (ED) as their regular access point to health care. We sought to identify factors associated with preferential ED use over other health services. We hypothesized that socioeconomic barriers (i.e., employment, health status, education) to primary care would also prevent access to ED alternatives. Methods Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, 2007 to 2008, were analysed (N=134,073; response rate 93.5%). Our study population comprised 14,091 individuals identified without a primary care physician. Socioeconomic variables included employment, health, and education. Covariates included chronic health conditions, immigrant status, gender, age, and mental health. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each variable were calculated. Weighted logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the importance of individual risk factors and their interactions after adjustment for relevant covariates. Results The sample comprised 57.2% males from across Canada. Employment (OR 0.73 [95% CI: 0.59-0.90]), good health (OR 0.73 [95% CI 0.57-0.88]), and post-secondary education (OR 0.68 [95% CI 0.53-0.88]) reduced respondents use of the ED. The reduced odds of ED use were independent of chronic conditions, mental health, gender, poor mobility, province, and age. Conclusions Low socioeconomic status dictates preferential ED use in those without a primary care physician. Specific policy and system development targeting this at-risk population are indicated to alter ED use patterns in this population.

scholarly journals The immigrant effect: factors impacting use of primary and emergency department care – a Canadian population cross-sectional study

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Ohle ◽  
Helena Bleeker ◽  
Krishan Yadav ◽  
Jeffrey J. Perry
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Primary Care Physician ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Access Point ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Immigrant Population ◽  
Canadian Population

AbstractObjectiveIn 2011, Canada had a foreign-born population of approximately 6,775,800. They represented 20.6% of the total population. Immigrants possess characteristics that reduce the use of primary care. This is thought to be, in part, due to a lower education level, employment, and better health status. Our objective was to assess whether, in an immigrant population without a primary care physician, similar socioeconomic factors would also reduce the likelihood of using the emergency department compared to a non-immigrant population without primary care.MethodsData regarding individuals ≥ 12 years of age from the Canadian Community Health Survey from 2007 to 2008 were analysed (n=134,073; response rate 93%). Our study population comprised 15,554 individuals identified without a primary care physician who had a regular place for medical care. The primary outcome was emergency department as a regular care access point. Socioeconomic variables included employment, health status, and education. Covariates included chronic health conditions, mobility, gender, age, and mental health. Weighted logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the importance of individual risk factors.ResultsThe sample of 15,554 (immigrants n=1,767) consisted of 57.3% male and 42.7% female respondents from across Canada. Immigrants were less likely than Canadian-born respondents to use the emergency department as a regular access point for health care (odds ratio=0.48 [95% CI 0.40 – 0.57]). Adjusting for health, education, or employment had no effect on this reduced tendency (odds ratio=0.47 [95% CI 0.38 – 0.58]).ConclusionIn a Canadian population without a primary care physician, immigrants are less likely to use the emergency department as a primary access point for care than Canadian-born respondents. However, this effect is independent of previously reported social and economic factors that impact use of primary care. Immigration status is an important but complex component of racial and ethnic disparity in the use of health care in Canada.

Primary care and suicidality among psychiatric outpatients: The patient-doctor relationship matters

2020 ◽  
pp. 009121742097799
Author(s):  
Krista Schultz ◽  
Sharan Sandhu ◽  
David Kealy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Primary Care Physician ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Cross Sectional

Objective The purpose of the current study is to examine the relationship between the quality of the Patient-Doctor Relationship and suicidality among patients seeking mental health care; specifically, whether patients who perceive having a more positive relationship with primary care physician will have lower levels of suicidality. Method Cross-sectional population-based study in Greater Vancouver, Canada. One-hundred ninety-seven participants were recruited from three Mental Health Clinics who reported having a primary care physician. Participants completed a survey containing questions regarding items assessing quality of Patient-Doctor Relationship, general psychiatric distress (K10), borderline personality disorder, and suicidality (Suicidal Behaviours Questionnaire-Revised-SBQ-R). Zero-order correlations were computed to evaluate relationships between study variables. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to control for confounding variables. Results The quality of the patient doctor relationship was significantly negatively associated with suicidality. The association between the quality of the patient-doctor relationship and suicidality remained significant even after controlling for the effects of psychiatric symptom distress and borderline personality disorder features. Conclusions The degree to which patients’ perceive their primary care physician as understanding, reliable, and dedicated, is associated with a reduction in suicidal behaviors. Further research is needed to better explicate the mechanisms of this relationship over time.

Likelihood of Normal ABI Increases With Physiologic Testing Referrals From Rural Primary Care Physicians

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-127
Author(s):  
Robert P. Scissons ◽  
Abraham Ettaher ◽  
Sophia Afridi
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Care Physician ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Bypass Graft ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Rural Primary Care ◽  
And Gender

Disparities in diagnostic capabilities have been noted between rural and urban health care facilities. We believe the clinical evaluation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) by rural physicians may be similarly affected. Patients referred for arterial physiologic testing in an urban and rural regional health care network for a consecutive 7-month period were reviewed. Patients were classified into 3 groups based on referring physician specialty: (1) vascular surgeon or vascular medicine specialist (Vasc), (2) urban primary care physician (Urban), and (3) rural primary care physician (Rural). Normal patients were defined by a posterior tibial (PT) or dorsalis pedis (DP) ankle-brachial index (ABI) of ⩾0.90, bilaterally. Abnormal patients had both PT and DP ABI <0.90 in one or both extremities. Group comparisons were made for normal and abnormal patients, age (⩾65 years old), and gender. Patients with history of amputations, angioplasty, bypass graft, stent, calcification (PT or DP ABI ⩾1.30), and previous physiologic testing outside the designated period of analysis were considered a separate subclassification and analyzed separately. Emergency room referrals, inpatients, and patients with incomplete examination data were excluded from the analysis. A total of 430 patient exams were evaluated. Group-Rural had significantly greater numbers of normal ABI patients compared with Group-Urban ( P = .0028) and Group-Vasc ( P = .0000). No significant differences were noted between all groups for age and gender. Substantial disparities were noted in normal and abnormal ABI patients between rural health care physicians and their urban primary care and vascular specialist counterparts. Significantly greater numbers of normal ABI referrals by rural primary care physicians may warrant enhanced PAD diagnosis education or telemedicine alternatives.

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