Racial/Ethnic Differences in Emergency Department Utilization and Experience

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Disparities
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Previous research indicates racial/ethnic disparities in emergency department (ED) utilization.
• However, less is understood regarding racial/ethnic differences in the quality of care experienced during ED visits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate disparities in self-reported healthcare utilization and patient experiences with emergency department (ED) care based on race/ethnicity.

Main Methods:

• Adult patients discharged to the community from 50 hospitals nationwide were surveyed using the Emergency Department Patient Experience of Care (EDPEC) DTC Survey.
• Linear regression analysis was employed to assess case-mix-adjusted differences in patient experience across racial/ethnic groups.

Main Results:

• Black and Hispanic patients reported higher ED utilization, including visits for ongoing conditions and frequent recent visits, and were more likely to lack a usual source of care compared to White patients.
• Hispanic patients reported better communication regarding follow-up care and higher likelihood of recommending the ED.
• Both Hispanic and Black patients reported superior communication with doctors and nurses compared to White patients.

Conclusions:

• Hispanic and Black patients exhibit higher emergency department (ED) utilization patterns and report a better overall experience with ED care than White patients.
• These findings may stem from variations in care delivery by healthcare staff or differing patient expectations of ED services among minority groups.