What Impact does a Pandemic have on Emergency Department Visits? COVID-19 Pandemic and Coronaphobia

Abstract

Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency department visits decreased all around the world. This has been linked to reduced access to health care services associated with the pandemic, changes in social life, and individuals avoiding health care facilities to avoid disease contamination. Lack of access to emergency department services for health problems requiring urgent care can lead to complications and outcomes resulting in mortality and disability. The purpose of this study was to examine the postponement of emergency department visits during the pandemic and to explore the reasons for these delays. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the emergency department of a university hospital in the Black Sea region of Turkey. The study population consisted of patients 18 years of age and older. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were given a questionnaire that included a COVID-19 Phobia Scale. The data collection forms were administered by ED physicians through face-to-face interviews. Results: The research was completed with 352 patients. 27.0% of the participants stated delays in their emergency department visits due to COVID-19 pandemic. The most common reasons for postponing emergency department visits were reluctance to visit a hospital because of the pandemic (46.3%), lack of an individual to accompany the patient (28.4%), and difficulty in finding proper transportation (18.9%). ED visit delays were significantly higher among single patients than married ones and were significantly lower in patients aged 31-55 compared to other patients (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in terms of COVID-19 Phobia Scale scores between patients postponing emergency department visits and those not postponing them (p>0.05). Conclusion: Around one in three patients postponed their visits to the emergency department (ED) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This delay can be attributed to the "fear of exposure to the disease," which is a direct effect of the pandemic. However, there are also indirect effects, such as concerns over finding transportation and an individual to accompany the patient.