Thoughts from the ER

I made it 25 years without ever stepping foot in the ER. Then over the course of 9 months I have been there too many times to count. There is one thing that I never understood before my visits and I don't understand even more now... the people that use the ER like their PCP. I am not talking about those who don't have anywhere else to turn due to social or economic status, that's a whole other issue with much deeper issue within our healthcare system. I am talking about the people who have the resources yet choose the ER for their minor problems. Some say it's convenient, but I don't buy that. There is nothing convenient about the ER except maybe for the fact it's open 24/7. If you show up for a routine issue you have a long wait, high costs, you don't have follow up care, the doctor does not know you or your history, and many preventable issues will go missed because the ER is not there to prevent issues they are there to treat emergencies. Yet step into any ER and it's filled with people who don't really need to be there. Every time I show up I am amazed, here I hesitated as I was struggling to breathe on if it was even worth going and there are people showing up for a sprained thumb. It makes my healthcare management brain spin and want to try to fix it.

What would it take to get the person who has the money, insurance, and ability to see a Primary Care provider (PCP) to see their PCP instead of the ER?

Do we need to help people find PCPs they trust?

Do more PCPs need to offer after hours care?

Do we need more education in school on where to turn for healthcare needs based on severity?

Do we need to equip nurse advice lines to be able to make suggestions beyond “go to the ER”?

Do insurance companies need to make it so you can't just randomly be assigned to a PCP and you need to find one you like?

Do we need more PCPs?

The questions go on…I have so many theories and so many questions. It's an issue I know has been acknowledged for years, but why haven't we been able to fix it?

I'd love to hear your theories and solutions on it.

Disclaimer-

All information provided on this blog is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider and/or your insurance provider for your specific situation. This blog does not offer medical advice.