Frequent Emergency Department Utilizers and Providers

A mixed methods study entailing quantitative analysis of a survey distributed among 100 providers in the Tufts Medical Center Emergency Department, defined as Physicians (MD/DO), Physician Assistants (PA), Registered Nurses (RN), Social Workers (SW), and Patient Care Technicians (PCT). Additionally, there will be concurrent qualitative analysis of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with frequent emergency department utilizers, defined as greater-than-or-equal-to 4 ED visits in the past year. 

• The first aim is to characterize and examine the lived experience of frequent emergency department utilizers. This will help to understand and analyze the barriers and underlying determinants to overutilization.
• The second aim is to characterize and examine the relationship of emergency department personnel to frequent emergency department utilizers. This will help identify discrepancies in perceived appropriate use between ED personnel and frequent ED utilizers, while also identifying potential precipitants to burnout.

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients that have had four or more patient encounters at the Tufts Medical Center Emergency Department in the past calendar year
• Employees of the Tufts Medical Center Emergency Department that contribute to patient care. This includes Physicians (MD/DO), Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, Patient Care Technicians, and Social Workers
• Participants must be able to speak English

Exclusion Criteria

• Adults unable to consent (cognitively impaired adults)
• Pregnant women
• Minors

Study Requirements

Patient Participants: Requirements involve participation in one semi-structured interview. There will be no blood samples or imaging studies

Clinician Participants: Requirements involve participation in one on-line survey. There will be no blood samples or imaging studies