A qualitative systematic review of the reasons for parental attendance at the emergency department with children presenting with minor illness

Butun, Ahmet; Hemingway, Pippa

doi:10.1016/j.ienj.2017.07.002

Cited by 24 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…These reasons were cited in the majority of included studies and show that some parents are not satisfied with the services provided by their GPs and therefore visit the ED for care. A recent review by Butun and Hemingway8 suggested that if parents are dissatisfied with their primary care provider or with received treatment, it is more likely that they will not revisit these services. These findings are further supported by previous researchers who cite frustration from patients who must contend with long waiting lists, poor communication and restricted opening hours when attempting to gain an appointment with their primary healthcare provider 41.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The term ‘minor illness’ was operationally used by Butun and Hemingway8 as non-urgent cases that could be treated by simple medication, self-care or need no treatment. Recent figures on paediatric ED visits suggest around 40% (n=1244) were non-urgent in a study conducted across 12 hospitals in Belgium 9.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date, there are no mixed methods systematic reviews that bring together all the available data in this important field. A limited number of systematic reviews (n=3) were identified, which focused on adult patients,15 ED visits solely in the USA16 or reviewed only qualitative evidence 8. Our review specifically focuses on parental reasons for using the ED for their children presenting with minor illness and brings together both quantitative and qualitative data without limitations of date and origin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring parents’ reasons for attending the emergency department for children with minor illnesses: a mixed methods systematic review

et al. 2018

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BackgroundThe number of EDs visit is on the increase, and the pressure on EDs is of significant concern worldwide. The usage of EDs by parents of children with minor illness is an important and still unresolved problem causing a burden to healthcare services. The aim of this study was to review the literature to summarise parental reasons for visiting ED for children with minor illness.MethodSeven electronic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus) were comprehensively searched during a 2-week period in August 2016 and updated between 11 and 20 June 2018. The study selection process was undertaken independently by two authors. Qualitative and quantitative studies that focused on the reasons for parents of children with minor illness to attend an ED were included. Studies were assessed for quality and data were analysed by means of narrative synthesis.ResultsTwenty-four studies were included. Eleven studies employed quantitative methods, eleven studies used qualitative methods and two studies used mixed methods. Parental reasons for using ED included perceived urgency, ED advantages (eg, faster service, superior ED resources and efficiency), difficulties with getting a general practitioner appointment, lack of facilities in primary healthcare services, lack of health insurance, reassurance, convenience and access.ConclusionThis review identified some of the reasons why parents bring their children to the ED for minor illnesses highlighting the multifaceted nature of this problem. Understanding parental reasons behind their choice to use the ED may help us better design targeted interventions to reduce unnecessary ED visits and alleviate the burden on overstretched healthcare services. This review may help inform emergency care policy makers, researchers and healthcare staff to understand parents’ reasons for visiting the ED, to better meet their healthcare needs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring parents’ reasons for attending the emergency department for children with minor illnesses: a mixed methods systematic review

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“…Recent systematic reviews have suggested a need for further investigation among middle-income countries due to differences in healthcare systems and cultural norms. [6,13] The data obtained from the Ministry of Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article. a Faculty of Health Sciences, Mardin Artuklu University, Kampus Yerleskesi, Artuklu/Mardin, Turkey, b School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland, c School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast, Northern Ireland.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The majority of research on exploring why parents use the ED has taken place in high-income countries with a dearth of work originating in middle- and low-income regions. Recent systematic reviews have suggested a need for further investigation among middle-income countries due to differences in healthcare systems and cultural norms [6,13] . The data obtained from the Ministry of Health in Turkey showed that there were approximately 111 million ED visits in 2015, 118 million in 2016, and 124 million in 2017, [14] which is equivalent to approximately 1375, 1475, and 1550 ED visits per 1000 population, respectively.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring attendance at emergency departments for children with non-urgent conditions in Turkey: a qualitative study of parents and healthcare staff perspectives

Butun

Lynn

McGaughey

et al. 2022

Emergency and Critical Care Medicine

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Background: Overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs) is a significant global concern with negative consequences for patients, healthcare staff, and healthcare systems. The use of EDs by parents of children with non-urgent conditions is associated with overcrowding, higher healthcare costs, lower quality of care, and longer waiting times. Research in this area has largely been conducted in high-income countries, with a dearth of work originating in middle and low-income regions. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons for parents attending EDs with their child for non-urgent conditions in Turkey.Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 parents, 15 ED staff, and 10 General Practitioners (GPs) in 2 regions of Turkey between March and May 2017. Data were analyzed using the principles of grounded theory.Results: The findings were classified into 5 core categories: (1) parents' feelings, knowledge, and perceived inability to provide self-care; (2) perceived limitations of healthcare services, system, and staff; (3) parents' preferences for hospital and ED services; (4) adverse impact on ED services; and (5) perceived needs for care.Conclusion: This is the first study conducted in a middle-income country regarding parental reasons for using the ED for nonurgent conditions. Greater efforts must be made to reduce unnecessary visits to the ED to better meet service user needs and to increase the satisfaction of both parents and healthcare staff. The findings of this study may inform healthcare providers, policymakers, healthcare staff, and researchers to design interventions in order to mitigate overcrowding in the ED.

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Association between Gaps in Care Coordination and Emergency Department Visits Among Children without Chronic Conditions or Special Needs

Rajan,

Abramson,

Pinheiro

et al. 2024

Matern Child Health J

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A qualitative systematic review of the reasons for parental attendance at the emergency department with children presenting with minor illness

Cited by 24 publications

References 26 publications

Exploring parents’ reasons for attending the emergency department for children with minor illnesses: a mixed methods systematic review

Exploring parents’ reasons for attending the emergency department for children with minor illnesses: a mixed methods systematic review

Exploring attendance at emergency departments for children with non-urgent conditions in Turkey: a qualitative study of parents and healthcare staff perspectives

Association between Gaps in Care Coordination and Emergency Department Visits Among Children without Chronic Conditions or Special Needs

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