A cohort study of influences, health outcomes and costs of patients' health-seeking behaviour for minor ailments from primary and emergency care settings
Watson, M C and Ferguson, J and Barton, G R and Maskrey, V and Blyth, A and Paudyal, V and Bond, C M and Holland, R and Porteous, T and Sach, T H and Wright, D and Fielding, S (2015) A cohort study of influences, health outcomes and costs of patients' health-seeking behaviour for minor ailments from primary and emergency care settings. BMJ Open, 5. e006261. ISSN 2044-6055
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Abstract
Objectives To compare health-related and cost-related outcomes of consultations for symptoms suggestive of minor ailments in emergency departments (EDs), general practices and community pharmacies.Design Observational study; prospective cohort design.Setting EDs (n=2), general practices (n=6) and community pharmacies (n=10) in a mix of rural/urban and deprived/affluent areas across North East Scotland and East Anglia. Participants Adults (≥18 years) presenting between 09:00 and 18:00 (Monday–Friday) in general practices and 09:00–18:00 (Monday–Saturday) in pharmacies and EDs with ≥1 of the following: musculoskeletal pain; eye discomfort; gastrointestinal disturbance; or upper respiratory tract-related symptoms.Interventions Participants completed three questionnaires: baseline (prior to index consultation); satisfaction with index consultation and follow-up (2 weeks after index consultation).Main outcome measures Symptom resolution, quality of life, costs, satisfaction and influences on care-seeking behaviour.Results 377 patients participated, recruited from EDs (81), general practices (162) and community pharmacies (134). The 2-week response rate was 70% (264/377). Symptom resolution was similar across all three settings: ED (37.3%), general practice (35.7%) and pharmacy (44.3%). Mean overall costs per consultation were significantly lower for pharmacy (£29.30 (95% CI £21.60 to £37.00)) compared with general practice (£82.34 (95% CI £63.10 to £101.58)) and ED (£147.09 (95% CI £125.32 to £168.85)). Satisfaction varied across settings and by measure used. Compared with pharmacy and general practice use, ED use was significantly (p
Creators(s): |
Watson, M C ![]() | Item type: | Article |
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ID code: | 69104 |
Keywords: | health-seeking behaviour, health outcomes, health costs, minor ailments, Therapeutics. Pharmacology, Pharmacology (medical) |
Subjects: | Medicine > Therapeutics. Pharmacology |
Department: | Faculty of Science > Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences |
Depositing user: | Pure Administrator |
Date deposited: | 29 Jul 2019 13:36 |
Last modified: | 05 Mar 2021 04:39 |
URI: | https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/69104 |
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