Convenience, quality and choice: patient and service-provider perspectives for treating primary care complaints in urgent care settings

Journal article


Sturgeon, D. 2017. Convenience, quality and choice: patient and service-provider perspectives for treating primary care complaints in urgent care settings. International Emergency Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2017.06.005
AuthorsSturgeon, D.
Abstract

Aim: To investigate why patients chose to attend two, nurse-led, minor injury units (MIUs) to access primary healthcare services rather than attend their GP practice.

Background: Since the 1980’s, healthcare organisations in the UK and elsewhere have implemented an increasingly consumer-orientated model of healthcare provision. As a result, patients with non-urgent presentations are attending Emergency Departments (EDs) and other urgent care facilities in growing numbers.

Methods: A comparative case study approach was adopted and between October 2014 and May 2015 the researcher was embedded as a participant observer as part of the emergency nurse practitioner team at two, nurse-led, MIUs (site A and B). During this time, 40 patients, 17 service-providers and 1 senior manager were interviewed.

Results: Patients and service-providers at both sites identified convenience and quality of care as the principle reasons patients presented for primary healthcare services at MIUs rather than their GP practice. Service-providers were aware that by providing treatment, they established a precedent and a sense of expectation for future care.

Conclusion: Patients are acting rationally and predictably in response to healthcare policy promises regarding choice, expectation created by service-providers, and local demographic factors.

Year2017
JournalInternational Emergency Nursing
PublisherElsevier
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2017.06.005
Publication dates
Online14 Aug 2017
Publication process dates
Deposited17 Aug 2017
Accepted24 Jun 2017
Accepted author manuscript
Output statusPublished
Permalink -

https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/884v3/convenience-quality-and-choice-patient-and-service-provider-perspectives-for-treating-primary-care-complaints-in-urgent-care-settings

Download files

  • 54
    total views
  • 170
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Introduction to anatomy and physiology for healthcare students
Sturgeon, D. 2018. Introduction to anatomy and physiology for healthcare students. Abingdon, Oxon Routledge.
Advantages and disadvantages of encouraging consumerist notions of healthcare at two minor injury units: results of a multiple embedded case study.
Sturgeon, D. 2018. Advantages and disadvantages of encouraging consumerist notions of healthcare at two minor injury units: results of a multiple embedded case study. British Journal of Nursing. 27 (6). https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2018.27.6.308
A case study of consumerism in healthcare: users and staff in two minor injury units
Sturgeon, D. 2017. A case study of consumerism in healthcare: users and staff in two minor injury units. PhD Thesis Canterbury Christ Church University School of Nursing
There and back again: a short history of health service reform in England from 1909-2012
Sturgeon, D. 2013. There and back again: a short history of health service reform in England from 1909-2012. International Journal of Arts & Sciences. 6 (2), pp. 19-30.
Higher education reform: conflict of interest or enhanced experience?
Sturgeon, D. 2012. Higher education reform: conflict of interest or enhanced experience? British Journal of Nursing. 21 (1), pp. 44-48. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2012.21.1.44
Markets, mergers and mixed messages
Sturgeon, D. 2014. Markets, mergers and mixed messages. British Journal of Healthcare Management. 20 (2), pp. 71-75. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjhc.2014.20.2.71
The business of the NHS: The rise and rise of consumer culture and commodification in the provision of healthcare services
Sturgeon, D. 2014. The business of the NHS: The rise and rise of consumer culture and commodification in the provision of healthcare services. Critical Social Policy. 34 (3), pp. 405-416. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261018314527717
Transforming higher education and the professional preparation of nurses
Sturgeon, D. 2010. Transforming higher education and the professional preparation of nurses. British Journal of Nursing. 19 (3), pp. 180-184.
'Have a nice day': consumerism, compassion and health care
Sturgeon, D. 2010. 'Have a nice day': consumerism, compassion and health care. British Journal of Nursing. 19 (16), pp. 1047-1051.
Advanced nursing practice and Newton's three laws of motion
Sturgeon, D. 2008. Advanced nursing practice and Newton's three laws of motion. British Journal of Nursing. 17 (11), pp. 706-710.
Measuring compassion in nursing
Sturgeon, D. 2008. Measuring compassion in nursing. Nursing Standard. 22 (46), pp. 42-43.
Skills for caring: valuing knowledge of applied science in nursing
Sturgeon, D. 2008. Skills for caring: valuing knowledge of applied science in nursing. British Journal of Nursing. 17 (5), pp. 322-325.