Qualitative study of patients' choice between public and private hospital emergency departments

Article

He, Jun, Toloo, Ghasem-Sam, Hou, Xiang-Yu and FitzGerald, Gerry. 2016. "Qualitative study of patients' choice between public and private hospital emergency departments." Emergency Medicine Australasia. 28 (2), pp. 159-163. https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.12530
Article Title

Qualitative study of patients' choice between public and private hospital emergency departments

ERA Journal ID16047
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsHe, Jun (Author), Toloo, Ghasem-Sam (Author), Hou, Xiang-Yu (Author) and FitzGerald, Gerry (Author)
Journal TitleEmergency Medicine Australasia
Journal Citation28 (2), pp. 159-163
Number of Pages5
Year2016
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons
Place of PublicationAustralia
ISSN1742-6723
1742-6731
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.12530
Web Address (URL)https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1742-6723.12530
Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to gather patients' perceptions regarding their choice between public and private hospital EDs for those who hold private health insurance. The findings of this study will contribute to knowledge regarding patients' decision-making processes and therefore may contribute to the development of evidence based public policies.

Methods
An in-depth semi-structured guide was used to interview participants at public and private hospital EDs. Questions sought to identify the issues that were considered by the participants to decide to attend that hospital ED, previous ED experience, expectations of ED services and perceived benefits and barriers to accessing services. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content and thematic approaches.

Results
Four core themes emerged: prior good experience with the hospital, perceived quality of care, perceived waiting times and perceived costs that may explain patients' choice. Patients' choice between public and private EDs can be explained by the interaction of these core themes. The principal issues appear to be concern for gap payments at private hospital ED and waiting times at public hospital ED.

Conclusions
Patients who choose to attend public EDs appear to value financial concern over waiting time; those who choose to attend private EDs appear to value waiting time ahead of financial concerns.

Keywordschoice; emergency department; private hospital; public hospital
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420309. Health management
420311. Health systems
420306. Health care administration
Byline AffiliationsQueensland University of Technology
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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