Six Factors Driving Younger Generations to Your Already Crowded Emergency Department
Let's discuss a pertinent issue that has been gaining momentum recently: the increasing number of young people turning to emergency departments (EDs) instead of visiting physicians’ practices or clinics for medical care. While the appeal of EDs may seem understandable due to their convenience, the surge in patient volume is causing significant delays in care. To address this growing concern and decompress your ED, it is crucial to identify and understand the factors driving this trend.
#1. Convenience and Accessibility
One of the primary reasons younger generations prefer EDs is the ease of access and round-the-clock availability. Given their busy schedules, filled with work, school, and other responsibilities, scheduling appointments with family physicians during regular office hours can be challenging. In contrast, EDs are operational 24/7, providing patients with care whenever they need it, making them a seemingly convenient choice.
#2. Perception of Urgency
Many younger individuals view EDs as the go-to destination for serious or life-threatening conditions, while they perceive family physicians as providers for routine care. Consequently, they may feel more at ease seeking care in the ED, even for non-emergency health concerns.
#3. Cost Concerns
Financial considerations play a significant role in shaping decisions for many younger people. With the proliferation of high deductible health plans, they might believe that visiting a family physician would be more expensive than going to the ED. However, this perception does not always align with reality, as ED visits can be considerably costlier, especially for non-emergency situations.
#4. Lack of Awareness
Another significant factor contributing to the preference for ED visits is a lack of awareness among younger individuals about the value of having a regular primary care physician and the benefits of preventive care. This lack of understanding can hinder their ability to make informed decisions and schedule appointments with family physicians.
#5. Online Information and Social Media Influence
Younger generations tend to heavily rely on online information, including social media platforms, when making healthcare decisions. Unfortunately, the abundance of misleading or inaccurate information can lead them to believe that EDs are the optimal choice for all medical concerns, exacerbating the overcrowding issue.
#6. Misguided Perceptions about EDs
Some younger individuals may harbor misconceptions that EDs offer superior medical services and diagnostic capabilities compared to family physicians. This misconception can further fuel their preference for emergency care, even when their condition does not warrant it.
Fixing the Issue
The rising trend of younger generations seeking care at EDs rather than consulting family physicians is a multifaceted problem driven by factors such as convenience, perception of urgency, cost concerns, lack of awareness, and the influence of online information and social media. Addressing these factors is imperative to reverse the trend and encourage younger generations to prioritize preventive care and establish a strong relationship with a family physician. By promoting education and awareness, healthcare providers can work towards easing the burden on EDs and ensuring that patients receive appropriate and timely care.
The prioritization of preventative care not only benefits the patient but hospitals and health systems as well. Decreasing the dependence on emergency departments means less crowding and enables staff to focus on the emergent cases that EDs are intended for. Remedying crowded EDs is a win for the organization, a win for the staff, and ultimately a win for who matters most: the patient.