Factors associated with emergency department avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic and alternatives sought: a cross-sectional, telephone-based survey of frequent emergency department users in Beirut, Lebanon.
Dina MahmassaniChristelle El HelouAkram El RemlawiAbdo MghamesOmar MneimneEveline A HitiPublished in: BMJ open (2023)
Among frequent ED users, ED avoidance during COVID-19 was common, especially among women, those with lung disease, those with university-level education and those who reported fear of contracting COVID-19 in the ED. While some patients resorted to alternative care routes, telemedicine was still underused in our setting. Developing strategies to reduce ED avoidance, especially in at-risk groups, may be warranted during pandemics.
Keyphrases
- emergency department
- healthcare
- end stage renal disease
- coronavirus disease
- ejection fraction
- sars cov
- newly diagnosed
- quality improvement
- chronic kidney disease
- palliative care
- peritoneal dialysis
- cross sectional
- type diabetes
- patient reported outcomes
- adverse drug
- skeletal muscle
- insulin resistance
- breast cancer risk