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Emergency department (ED) function is impeded when the number of people waiting to be assessed, treated, or leave exceeds its capacity. It is, however, a misconception that overcrowding is caused by large numbers of people with problems that could be managed by general practitioners.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) defines lower urgency care (“GP‐type” patients) as ED presentations by people triaged as Australasian Triage Scale category 4 or 5, who did not arrive in an ambulance, police, or correctional services vehicle, were not admitted to hospital or referred to another hospital, and did not die. This definition may overestimate the number of GP‐type patients in EDs, but its prominent use prompts state governments to focus on increasing general practice services to reduce ED overcrowding.

This MJA research letter shares more. 

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain key components of the research letter
2. List main findings
3. Recommend guideline for patients suitability for GP care to improve patients' outcome.

Details

Author: Haomin S Wu and James L Mallows

Article Type: Research Letter.