Craston, A.I.P., Scott-Murfitt, H., Omar, M.T. et al. (5 more authors) (2025) Being a patient in a crowded emergency department: a qualitative service evaluation. Emergency Medicine Journal, 42 (3). pp. 148-153. ISSN 1472-0205
Abstract
Background
Emergency department (ED) crowding causes increased mortality. Professionals working in crowded departments feel unable to provide high-quality care and are predisposed to burnout. Awareness of the impact on patients, however, is limited to metrics and surveys rather than understanding perspectives. This project investigated patients’ experiences and identified mitigating interventions.
Methods
A qualitative service evaluation was undertaken in a large UK ED. Adults were recruited during periods of high occupancy or delayed transfers. Semi-structured interviews explored experience during these attendances. Participants shared potential mitigating interventions. Analysis was based on the interpretative phenomenological approach. Verbatim transcripts were read, checked for accuracy, re-read and discussed during interviewer debriefing. Reflections about positionality informed the interpretative process.
Results
Seven patients and three accompanying partners participated. They were aged 24–87 with characteristics representing the catchment population. Participants’ experiences were characterised by ‘loss of autonomy’, ‘unmet expectations’ and ‘vulnerability’. Potential mitigating interventions centred around information provision and better identification of existing ED facilities for personal needs.
Conclusion
Participants attending a crowded ED experienced uncertainty, helplessness and discomfort. Recommendations included process and environmental orientation.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Authors. Except as otherwise noted, this author-accepted version of a journal article published in Emergency Medicine Journal is made available via the University of Sheffield Research Publications and Copyright Policy under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
Keywords: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences; Clinical Sciences; Emergency Care; Health Services; Clinical Research; Good Health and Well Being |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Medicine and Population Health |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number NIHR Academy NIHR300901 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 06 Aug 2024 13:59 |
Last Modified: | 25 Feb 2025 09:03 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | BMJ |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1136/emermed-2023-213751 |
Sustainable Development Goals: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:215719 |