Use of Medical Service among Non-emergency Patients after the Government Hour at Sunprasitthiprasong Hospital

Abstract

          The cross-sectional study was aimed to explore the rational and perception of the visit for medical service among non-emergency patients who presented at Accident and Emergency Clinic and Urgency Clinic after the government hour (during 4.00 pm – 8.00 am) in Sunprasitthiprasong Hospital. Data were collected from 187 patients during 7-11 June 2017 by accidental sampling, using constructed questionnaire. Result of the study revealed that 76.47% aged between 18-60 years, 63.6% were working during 8.00 am – 4.00 pm, and 57.8% lived in Ubon Ratchathani Municipality. 80.7% of the patients came to the hospital by themselves while only 19.3% was referred from other hospitals. From all samples, 45.5% were classified as urgent patients and 54.5% were non-urgent patients. The main reasons of non-emergency patients visiting during non-government hour were the recognition that the hospital had after-hour service for outpatient, thinking that it would cheaper than a private clinic, and thinking that they would receive the service faster. However, comparing between urgent patients and non-urgent patients revealed that the statistically significant factors which caused nonurgent patients came for the service were thinking that they would receive the service faster (odd ration 10.09), convenient of care-taker (odd ration 2.94), having others recommended of visiting during this time (odd ration 2.89), and patients who did not improve after more than 1 day of symptoms (odd ration 2.38). These factors reflected the perception and assessment of illness by patients themselves, including the convenience of them. In conclusion, this study indicated that there are a number of factors that affect the non-emergency patients visit for after government hour service and may reflect the perception and awareness of general public about the role of emergency medical service during these time. Clear public communication of the important role of services in the emergency medical system is therefore an important issue that should be considered by relevant parties. Additionally, strengthening primary care system may help reduce the number of
non-urgent patient in the emergency medical service.