Patient intention and self-reported compliance in relation to emergency department attendance after using an after hours GP helpline

Abstract

Objective: To determine ED attendance and compliance with GP advice following a call to an after hours telephone triage and advice service. Methods: A descriptive study of users' of an after hours helpline self-reported ED attendance and compliance with GP recommendation, based on routinely collected service data and telephone survey results for 2783 callers in 2011–2012. The outcome measure was self-reported health service utilisation following advice from a GP on an after hours helpline. Results: One-third of the sample – 934 callers – intended to visit the ED. Of these, 504 (54%, 95% CI 50.7%–57.2%) reported taking other less urgent options. The GP assessment confirmed the original intent..