Introduction
Emergency departments in hospitals have become crucial for providing primary medical care to those who may not have other options for healthcare. The outcome of this has been costly for patients, with services becoming more expensive and the quality of care decreasing (Hoogendijk et al., 2019). In this essay, the repercussions of individuals who rely on emergency departments as their primary source of healthcare will be addressed, along with potential solutions to the current situation.
The Implications for Patients
The reliance of the underserved on Emergency Departments (EDs) for primary care can result in increased expenses and a drop in the standard of care. EDs are not designed to provide ongoing primary care, and are more expensive than other options such as community health centers or private physician offices. Furthermore, EDs cannot provide comprehensive care, requiring patients to seek additional care from other sources, increasing costs (Boserup et al., 2020). Additionally, due to their focus on acute medical conditions, EDs are not well-suited for providing primary care, resulting in poorer quality of care.
Potential Solutions
One approach to addressing the consequences of underserved populations relying on emergency rooms for primary care is to increase the availability of health clinics. These centers are meant to offer comprehensive primary care to those in underserved communities, often found in such areas and staffed with medical providers who are knowledgeable of the needs of the people. Another potential solution is to increase the availability of telemedicine (Boserup et al., 2020). Telemedicine is a form of healthcare that utilizes video or telephone calls to provide medical assistance.
Conclusion
The increasing reliance on hospital emergency rooms as the primary provider of healthcare to those with limited access has resulted in several drawbacks for these patients, including higher costs and poorer quality of care. To combat this, we can look to expanding access to community health centers and utilizing telemedicine. Taking steps to address the impact of underserved individuals using EDs as primary care can help ensure that everyone receives the quality healthcare they need.
References
Boserup, B., McKenney, M., & Elkbuli, A. (2020). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department visits and patient safety in the United States. The American journal of emergency medicine, 38(9), 1732-1736.
Hoogendijk, E. O., Afilalo, J., Ensrud, K. E., Kowal, P., Onder, G., & Fried, L. P. (2019). Frailty: implications for clinical practice and public health. The Lancet, 394(10206), 1365-1375.