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‘I thought they would do it on the spot’: why do people with non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain present to emergency departments?
- Source :
- Australian Health Review; 2023, Vol. 47 Issue 3, p274-281, 8p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Objective. To investigate the reasons patients with non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain (NTMSP) present to an emergency department (ED), their experience of care and perceptions about managing their condition in the future. Methods. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with patients with NTMSP presenting to a suburban ED. A purposive sampling strategy included participants with different pain characteristics, demographics and psychological factors. Results. Eleven patients with NTMSP who presented to an ED were interviewed, reaching saturation of major themes. Seven reasons for ED presentation were identified: (1) desire for pain relief, (2) inability to access other healthcare, (3) expecting comprehensive care at the ED, (4) fear of serious pathology/outcome, (5) influence of a third party, (6) desire/expecting radiological imaging for diagnosis and (7) desire for ‘ED specific’ interventions. Participants were influenced by a unique combination of these reasons. Some expectations were underpinned by misconceptions about health services and care. While most participants were satisfied with their ED care, they would prefer to self-manage and seek care elsewhere in the future. Conclusions. The reasons for ED presentation in patients with NTMSP are varied and often influenced by misconceptions about ED care. Most participants reported that, in future, they were satisfied to access care elsewhere. Clinicians should assess patient expectations so misconceptions about ED care can be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- MEDICAL quality control
HOSPITAL emergency services
HEALTH services accessibility
RESEARCH methodology
INTERVIEWING
PATIENT satisfaction
PATIENTS' attitudes
QUALITATIVE research
MUSCULOSKELETAL pain
SOUND recordings
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
QUESTIONNAIRES
JUDGMENT sampling
THEMATIC analysis
DATA analysis software
PAIN management
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01565788
- Volume :
- 47
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Australian Health Review
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 164068217
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1071/AH22274