Abstract

FAGBIYE, Abimbola A. et al. Characteristics and reasons non-urgent self-referred patients visit the emergency department in Kimberley, South Africa. Health SA Gesondheid (Online) [online]. 2025, vol.30, pp.1-7. ISSN 2071-9736.  https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v30i0.3015.

BACKGROUND: In many countries, emergency departments (EDs) are overcrowded by self-referred, non-urgent patients, leading to strained resources. Understanding why patients with minor ailments choose secondary or tertiary EDs is vital AIM: This study aimed to describe patients' characteristics and reasons for self-referrals for non-urgent conditions to the ED of a tertiary hospital in Kimberley, South Africa SETTING: The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Kimberley METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved patients at Kimberley's Family Medicine ED (Gateway Centre). Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire with staff available to explain RESULTS: A total of 331 participants were interviewed; the mean age was 40 years (ranging from 18-89 years); most were males (199; 60.1%), ≤ 45 years (226; 68.3%), single (171; 51.7%), unemployed (181; 54.7%), had no medical insurance (306; 92.5%) and had no access to a private doctor (298; 90.0%). Most had access to primary healthcare (PHC) clinics (291; 87.9%). They perceived their medical conditions as severe enough to visit the casualty department (310; 93.7%). They were more familiar with the services at the ED than their local clinics (169; 75.5% CONCLUSION: Non-urgent ED visits by self-referred patients result from complex medical, psychosocial, and economic factors. Despite access to PHC, patients often prefer the ED due to perceived severity and familiarity with hospital services CONTRIBUTION: Patients' perceptions significantly influence their healthcare choices. Addressing these perceptions is key to reducing the burden on already strained emergency services

Keywords : self-referral; reasons; green triaged; emergency department; Kimberley; South Africa.

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