Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration, DHA

School

Health Services

Advisor

Magdeline C. Aagard

Abstract

In the United States, there is an issue with low-income uninsured patients using emergency services for nonurgent conditions instead of using primary care services. Primary care services are more beneficial than emergency services for such patients, in that they can receive continual or follow-up care through primary care and thus achieve better health outcomes over the long term. Though information is available concerning factors in (or the rationale for) low-income uninsured patients choosing the emergency department (ED) instead of primary services for nonurgent conditions, research focusing on low-income uninsured patients' perspectives, beliefs, and level of knowledge about this matter is missing from the literature. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of the perspectives, beliefs, and level of knowledge of low-income uninsured patients about primary care services and to explore whether patient education can improve access to primary care. The health belief model was used to explore 6 concepts: perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. Criterion sampling was used to recruit 10 participants, an interview tool was used to collect data, and the data was analyzed deductively. Results revealed that members of the low-income uninsured population believed primary care to be better than the ED because it offers cost-effectiveness, preventative care, efficiency, and familiarity. Results indicated that lack of money or insurance prevented participants from using primary services. This study may bring awareness that leads to the improvement of patient education and navigation, the reduction of ED usage, and an increase in primary care utilization.

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