Classification of reason for attending the emergency department (ED)
| Reasons | n | Wt | Strength of reason for attending ED |
| Availability of other services | |||
| I don't have a GP | 6 | 7 | Medium |
| My GP was not available | 43 | 44 | Medium |
| Nowhere else has 24 h open access | 69 | 65 | Weak |
| Awareness of other services | |||
| I didn't know where else to go | 46 | 46 | Weak |
| I am not aware of any other services | 36 | 36 | Weak |
| I don't know what other services are open… | 49 | 43 | Weak |
| I don't know if my GP is available | 16 | 17 | Weak |
| Patient preferences | |||
| I didn't want to see my GP | 6 | 6 | Medium |
| I can't always see the GP I would like | 6 | 6 | Medium |
| I didn't want to bother my GP | 7 | 8 | Medium |
| I wanted to see the nurse practitioner | 15 | 15 | Medium |
| Positive experiences of ED | |||
| I've used the ED before and was happy… | 60 | 62 | Strong |
| I'm confident in the ED system | 74 | 74 | Strong |
| Processes and patient's time | |||
| My GP would only refer me here anyway | 36 | 38 | Medium |
| I would have to wait for a GP appointment | 48 | 51 | Medium |
| I think I will be seen quicker here… | 17 | 15 | Medium |
| Convenience of access | |||
| The ED is nearer than any other service | 29 | 26 | Medium |
| It's easier to get to than any other service | 18 | 18 | Medium |
| Perceptions of seriousness | |||
| I wanted to see a specialist | 21 | 21 | Strong |
| I consider the condition an emergency | 36 | 32 | Strong |
| I wanted to see a doctor a.s.a.p. | 98 | 96 | Strong |
| I thought I might need to go into hospital | 20 | 21 | Strong |
| I don't know whether it is broken or not | 57 | 61 | Strong |
| Seeking reassurance | |||
| I need reassuring that … is not serious | 91 | 87 | Medium |
| I wanted a second opinion | 25 | 26 | Medium |
| Other directed | [114] | [111] | |
| …advised by friends/family | 36 | 38 | Medium |
| …advised by other clinicians | 78 | 83 | Strong |
| Seeking particular services | |||
| I thought I needed an x-ray | 84 | 88 | Strong |
| I thought I might need a tetanus injection | 12 | 11 | Medium |
| I thought I might need a blood test | 4 | 5 | Medium |
| I thought it needed stitches | 28 | 26 | Medium |