Type of actions taken to get alternative care prior to the Emergency department visit
| Factor | No. of patients (%) who attempted alternative care access; n=842 | |
|---|---|---|
| Visited a physician (n=836) | 452 (54.1) | |
| n=446 | ||
| Family doctor | 198 (44.4) | |
| Walk-in clinic doctor | 161 (36.1) | |
| Specialist | 35 (7.8) | |
| Other clinic doctor | 52 (11.7) | |
| Other healthcare professional (n=830) | 176 (21.2) | |
| n=176 | ||
| Chiropractor | 11 (6.3) | |
| Physiotherapist | 19 (10.8) | |
| Nurse practitioner/midwife | 15 (8.5) | |
| Acupuncturist | 3 (1.7) | |
| Massage therapist | 6 (3.4) | |
| CAM specialist | 5 (2.8) | |
| Dentist | 3 (1.7) | |
| Other | 99 (56.3) | |
| Called a physician's office (n=833) | 394 (47.3) | |
| Called AHS Health Link line (n=832) | 112 (13.5) | |
| Visited AHS ED wait time website (n=825) | 66 (8.0) | |
| Believed ED was the best option (n=806) | 737 (91.4) | |
AHS, Alberta Health Services; CAM, complimentary/alternative medicine.