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Table 1 Consultation motive groups and examples of source items

From: Self-referred walk-in patients in the emergency department – who and why? Consultation determinants in a multicenter study of respiratory patients in Berlin, Germany

Motive group

Number of source items

Examples

Distress

2

“Because the situation felt threatening to me”

“Because my complaints were so severe”

Access

5

“Because my GP’s practice was closed”

“Because I could not get a timely appointment with my GP or specialist, although I tried to.”

“Because I am just visiting this city”

Quality

7

“Because diagnostic and therapeutic options are more comprehensive in the hospital”

“Because there are special experts in the hospital”

“Because the results of investigations are available more quickly”

Convenience

5

“Because the ED is always open and no appointment is necessary”

“Because the ED is closer to my home than a practice”

  1. Note. Question posed to the participants was “Why did you decide to visit an emergency department with your current complaints?”