title: Health professionals' perceptions of inappropriate use of A&E services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate health professionals' perceptions of the inappropriate use of accident and emergency (A&E) services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative methods were used to interview nine hospital staff as part of this exploratory study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven main themes emerged from the data: convenience; lack of patient knowledge and help-seeking behaviour; lack of awareness of services; lack of knowledge of local services among health and social-care professionals; long-term conditions; parents with small children; and the local Nepalese community.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is needed to understand what drives service-users' behaviour to use A&E services inappropriately for non-urgent treatment.
authors.affiliation: Doctoral Student, City University London, and Trainee Chartered Psychologist.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Health Psychologist, School of Arts and Social Sciences, City University London.
authors.forename: Triece
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turnbull
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Accident and emergency services, A&E; Cultural differences; Health professionals; Inappropriate admissions