Why A&E? A Qualitative Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative analysis of patient decision making factors in low urgency A&E patients who may have been suitable for treatment elsewhere in a district general A&E department.
IRAS ID
200814
Contact name
ST White
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
A&E attendance has risen dramatically over the past few years creating strain on the system and potentially reducing the quality of care given in A&E.
The reasons for rising demand are complex and not fully understood in the literature. The rise in demand is not fully explained by an ageing population or access to other services. There is the suggestion that many patients who could have been seen elsewhere (by primary care services) attend A&E in preference to other options.
This study will try to explore in depth the reasons why patients with problems that do not need urgent attention choose to attend A&E and build on the evidence base around this.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0205
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion