Use of Group Concept Mapping to Identify Patient Domains of Uncertainty That Contribute to Emergency Department Use.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2019
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Prior research suggests that uncertainty related to symptoms is a driver of emergency department (ED) use, and that patients often leave the ED with uncertainty not being addressed. Our objective was to engage patients to identify domains that contribute to feelings of uncertainty and decisions to use the ED.
METHODS: We used Group Concept Mapping, a quasi-qualitative/quasi-quantitative method, to elicit patients' views on how uncertainty related to experiencing symptoms contributes to decisions to access the ED. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants who either sought treatment at the ED twice within a 30-day period, or visited both the ED and a primary care provider at least once within the past year.
RESULTS: Thirty-four participants engaged in two rounds of Group Concept Mapping during which participants participated in structured brainstorming of ideas, followed by ranking and clustering of ideas into domains. The first round generated 47 idea statements reflecting uncertainty about consequences, severity, emergency room services, primary care options, finances, and psychologic concerns. The second round generated 52 idea statements reflecting uncertainty about self-management, causation, diagnosis and treatment plan, trust in the provider and institution, accessibility, and alternative care options.
DISCUSSION: Factors that contribute to uncertainty and decision-making about ED use are both intrinsic (ie, cause, symptom severity) and extrinsic (ie, finances, accessibility). These domains can inform approaches to measure the uncertainty that patients experience, and to design and test interventions for nurses and other providers to help manage patient uncertainty during acute illness.
Volume
45
Issue
1
First Page
46
Last Page
53
ISSN
1527-2966
Published In/Presented At
Rising, K. L., Doyle, S. K., Powell, R. E., Doty, A. M. B., LaNoue, M., & Gerolamo, A. M. (2019). Use of Group Concept Mapping to Identify Patient Domains of Uncertainty That Contribute to Emergency Department Use. Journal of emergency nursing, 45(1), 46–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2018.05.015
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
29960719
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article