title: Emergency department utilization by insured users: a study of motivating factors.
abstract: Emergency departments (EDs) represent a critical entryway into America's health care delivery system and are under significant pressure. This study seeks to understand why insured patients use EDs rather than more appropriate medical alternatives available to reduce the strain they are placing on this critical portal of entry. This exploratory research study surveyed insured patients presenting to 1 of 4 Central Florida EDs. Factor analysis and cluster analysis were used to identify groups of insured ED users defined by motivating factors. This study found that there exists a disconnect between insured individuals and the primary care system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management & Informatics, College of Health and Public Affairs, University of Central Florida, PO Box 162205, Orlando, FL 32816-2205, USA. roetjen@mail.ucf.edu
authors.forename: Reid M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Oetjen
authors.forename: Dawn M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Oetjen
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rotarius
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liberman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult