A recent study conducted in Doha, Qatar has shed light on why many patients choose not to be taken to the hospital after an emergency call. The study found that a significant number of patients experience improvements in their conditions following treatment by paramedics on the scene, such as pain relief, stopped bleeding, stabilised vital signs, and overall symptom relief. The patients also expressed a high level of satisfaction with the services provided by Hamad Medical Corporation’s Ambulance Service. The study, titled ‘Patient-Centric Perspectives on Non-Conveyance Decisions Following Pre-Hospital Emergency Calls: A Qualitative Study’, was published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma, and Acute Care.
The Ambulance Service in Doha provides life-saving care to patients with critical conditions such as heart attack, stroke, seizure, choking, chest pain, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, and severe allergic reactions. However, officials have noted that approximately 20% of all calls received requesting ambulance services are minor cases. To address this issue, a national campaign titled ‘Where For Your Care?’ has been launched to educate the public about when to call for an ambulance and alternative treatment options for non-life-threatening cases.
The study conducted telephone interviews with 210 patients who had requested pre-hospital emergency care from Hamad Medical Corporation’s Ambulance Service but chose not to be transported to the hospital. It focused on five key topics: reasons for using emergency services, reasons for declining hospital transport, subsequent actions taken after declining transportation, satisfaction levels with the services provided, and language barriers encountered during interactions.
The study found that pain-related issues, minor injuries, general health concerns, mental health issues, cardiovascular problems, and breathing issues were the most common reasons for emergency calls. While the majority of participants chose not to seek further medical care after declining hospital transport, a small number ended up calling 999 again due to persistent or worsening symptoms. Approximately 20.5% of participants opted for other healthcare options such as primary care centers or private clinics using private transportation methods.
In terms of service satisfaction, the overwhelming majority of participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the services provided by the Ambulance Service. Language barriers were rarely encountered, with the majority of respondents indicating a smooth communication process during emergency service interactions. The study sheds light on the important role paramedics play in providing timely and effective care to patients in emergency situations, and highlights the need for public awareness campaigns to educate people on when to call for an ambulance.
