Co-location of out of hours primary care and emergency department in Belgium: patients’ and physicians’ view
Abstract Background In Belgium, General Practitioner Cooperatives (GPC) aim to improve working conditions for unplanned care and to reduce the number of low acuity emergency visits. Although this system is well organized, the number of low acuity visits does not decrease. Methods We explored the vie...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06281-y |
| _version_ | 1818615686051659776 |
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| author | Birgitte Schoenmakers Jasper Van Criekinge Timon Boeve Jonas Wilms Chris Van Der Mullen Marc Sabbe |
| author_facet | Birgitte Schoenmakers Jasper Van Criekinge Timon Boeve Jonas Wilms Chris Van Der Mullen Marc Sabbe |
| author_sort | Birgitte Schoenmakers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In Belgium, General Practitioner Cooperatives (GPC) aim to improve working conditions for unplanned care and to reduce the number of low acuity emergency visits. Although this system is well organized, the number of low acuity visits does not decrease. Methods We explored the view of patients and physicians on the co-location of a GPC and an emergency service for unplanned care. The study was carried out in a cross section design in primary and emergency care services and included patients and physicians. Main outcome measure was the view of patients and physician on co-location of a GPC and an emergency service. Results 404 patients and 488 physicians participated. 334 (82.7%) of all patients favoured a co-location. The major advantages were fast service (104, 25.7) and adequate referral (54, 13.4%). 237 (74%) of the GPs and 38 (95%) of the emergency physicians were in favour of a co-location. The major advantage was a more adequate referral of patients. 254 (79%) of the GPs and 23 (83%) of the emergency physicians believed that a co-location would lower the workload and waiting time and increase care quality (resp. 251 (78%), 224 (70%) and 37 (93%), 34 (85%). Conclusions To close the expectation gap between GP’s, emergency physicians and to reach for high care quality, information campaigns and development of workflows are indispensable for a successful implementation of a co-location of primary and emergency care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T16:37:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e8808518c91f493ca1b067ed51adc1ac |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T16:37:51Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-e8808518c91f493ca1b067ed51adc1ac2022-12-21T22:24:25ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632021-03-012111910.1186/s12913-021-06281-yCo-location of out of hours primary care and emergency department in Belgium: patients’ and physicians’ viewBirgitte Schoenmakers0Jasper Van Criekinge1Timon Boeve2Jonas Wilms3Chris Van Der Mullen4Marc Sabbe5Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU LeuvenDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, KU LeuvenDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, KU LeuvenDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, KU LeuvenDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, KU LeuvenDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, KU LeuvenAbstract Background In Belgium, General Practitioner Cooperatives (GPC) aim to improve working conditions for unplanned care and to reduce the number of low acuity emergency visits. Although this system is well organized, the number of low acuity visits does not decrease. Methods We explored the view of patients and physicians on the co-location of a GPC and an emergency service for unplanned care. The study was carried out in a cross section design in primary and emergency care services and included patients and physicians. Main outcome measure was the view of patients and physician on co-location of a GPC and an emergency service. Results 404 patients and 488 physicians participated. 334 (82.7%) of all patients favoured a co-location. The major advantages were fast service (104, 25.7) and adequate referral (54, 13.4%). 237 (74%) of the GPs and 38 (95%) of the emergency physicians were in favour of a co-location. The major advantage was a more adequate referral of patients. 254 (79%) of the GPs and 23 (83%) of the emergency physicians believed that a co-location would lower the workload and waiting time and increase care quality (resp. 251 (78%), 224 (70%) and 37 (93%), 34 (85%). Conclusions To close the expectation gap between GP’s, emergency physicians and to reach for high care quality, information campaigns and development of workflows are indispensable for a successful implementation of a co-location of primary and emergency care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06281-yFamily practiceHealth services researchQuality developmentEmergency medical servicesTriage |
| spellingShingle | Birgitte Schoenmakers Jasper Van Criekinge Timon Boeve Jonas Wilms Chris Van Der Mullen Marc Sabbe Co-location of out of hours primary care and emergency department in Belgium: patients’ and physicians’ view BMC Health Services Research Family practice Health services research Quality development Emergency medical services Triage |
| title | Co-location of out of hours primary care and emergency department in Belgium: patients’ and physicians’ view |
| title_full | Co-location of out of hours primary care and emergency department in Belgium: patients’ and physicians’ view |
| title_fullStr | Co-location of out of hours primary care and emergency department in Belgium: patients’ and physicians’ view |
| title_full_unstemmed | Co-location of out of hours primary care and emergency department in Belgium: patients’ and physicians’ view |
| title_short | Co-location of out of hours primary care and emergency department in Belgium: patients’ and physicians’ view |
| title_sort | co location of out of hours primary care and emergency department in belgium patients and physicians view |
| topic | Family practice Health services research Quality development Emergency medical services Triage |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06281-y |
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