Samuel Vaillancourt1, M Bianca Seaton2, Michael J Schull3, Amy H Y Cheng4, Dorcas E Beaton5, Andreas Laupacis6, Katie N Dainty7. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto. Electronic address: sam.vaillancourt@utoronto.ca. 2. Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital. 3. Department of Medicine, University of Toronto; Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto; Department of Emergency Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. 4. Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto. 5. Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto; Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto; Institute for Work & Health. 6. Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto. 7. Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: Much effort has been expended to understand what care experiences patients value in the emergency department (ED), yet little is known about which outcomes patients value after ED care. Our goal is to define outcomes of ED care that are valued by patients discharged from the ED, with the goal of informing the development of a patient-reported outcome measure for ED care. METHODS: We conducted qualitative semistructured interviews with patients recruited during their care at 1 of 2 EDs and interviewed in either English or French 1 to 9 days after their visit. Patients who were hospitalized were excluded. Interviews focused on perceived outcomes of care since the ED visit and expectations of care before the ED visit. We identified themes with standard descriptive content analysis techniques and a modified version of the constant comparative method, drawing on grounded theory methods. RESULTS: We interviewed 46 patients in English (n=38) or French (n=8). Participants with diverse reasons for seeking care appeared to value common outcomes from ED care that centered around 4 themes: understanding the cause and expected trajectory of their symptoms; reassurance; symptom relief; and having a plan to manage their symptoms, resolve their issue, or pursue further medical care. These themes were also reflected in the expectations participants recalled having when they decided to seek care in the ED. CONCLUSION: The 4 outcomes defined constitute areas for improvement and will inform the development of an ED patient-reported outcome questionnaire. Consideration should be given to measuring patient-reported outcomes separately from patient experience.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: Much effort has been expended to understand what care experiences patients value in the emergency department (ED), yet little is known about which outcomes patients value after ED care. Our goal is to define outcomes of ED care that are valued by patients discharged from the ED, with the goal of informing the development of a patient-reported outcome measure for ED care. METHODS: We conducted qualitative semistructured interviews with patients recruited during their care at 1 of 2 EDs and interviewed in either English or French 1 to 9 days after their visit. Patients who were hospitalized were excluded. Interviews focused on perceived outcomes of care since the ED visit and expectations of care before the ED visit. We identified themes with standard descriptive content analysis techniques and a modified version of the constant comparative method, drawing on grounded theory methods. RESULTS: We interviewed 46 patients in English (n=38) or French (n=8). Participants with diverse reasons for seeking care appeared to value common outcomes from ED care that centered around 4 themes: understanding the cause and expected trajectory of their symptoms; reassurance; symptom relief; and having a plan to manage their symptoms, resolve their issue, or pursue further medical care. These themes were also reflected in the expectations participants recalled having when they decided to seek care in the ED. CONCLUSION: The 4 outcomes defined constitute areas for improvement and will inform the development of an ED patient-reported outcome questionnaire. Consideration should be given to measuring patient-reported outcomes separately from patient experience.
Authors: Deniz Cetin-Sahin; Francine Ducharme; Jane McCusker; Nathalie Veillette; Sylvie Cossette; T T Minh Vu; Alain Vadeboncoeur; Paul-André Lachance; Rick Mah; Simon Berthelot Journal: J Patient Exp Date: 2019-04-08
Authors: Marjolein N T Kremers; Tessel Zaalberg; Eva S van den Ende; Marlou van Beneden; Frits Holleman; Prabath W B Nanayakkara; Harm R Haak Journal: BMJ Open Qual Date: 2019-09-29
Authors: Christina Østervang; Annmarie Touborg Lassen; Charlotte Myhre Jensen; Elisabeth Coyne; Karin Brochstedt Dieperink Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-12-22 Impact factor: 2.692