"Young Adults in Minnesota with Medicaid and Nonurgent Emergency Depart" by REYNELL Y. TURNER

Date of Conferral

1-10-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Services

Advisor

Suzanne Richins

Abstract

Many people entering the emergency department for non-urgent care may not comprehend that this facility is intended for situations requiring immediate attention. The purpose of the qualitative study examined and explored the behaviors and feelings of Medicaid beneficiaries aged 18 to 39 in rural Minnesota that influenced their decisions to visit the emergency department (ED) for non-urgent conditions. The aim was to also acquire insights regarding their feelings toward visiting urgent care as an alternate care option. The theoretical foundation and framework for the study was Kurt Lewin's Field Theory and Behavior Equation. The qualitative research study included semi-structured interviews with pre-determined open-ended questions. The criteria for participation in the study included 9 individuals in rural Minnesota, who have Medicaid insurance, between the ages of 18-39, and had an emergency department visit in the past twelve months that did not involve a hospital stay. Data were coded to determine four main themes of Nonurgent Utilization and Future Nonurgent ED; Participants’ Symptoms, Feelings, and Behaviors; Medicaid Beneficiaries; and Primary Care Versus ED. Subthemes were future Non-Urgent ED Utilization, duration of symptoms, recent ED visits, perception of symptoms as urgent, support groups and family influence, need for in-person support, and feelings of being unheard in the ED. The conclusion provides insight of the perceptions of young adults visiting the emergency department for non-urgent care. The findings can enable local stakeholders to utilize the collected data to improve community health resources for Medicaid beneficiaries thereby facilitating a tangible impact to a positive social change.

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