Equity in Emergency Care - Equity in Emergency Care During COVID-19

Equity in Emergency Department Utilization in Alberta for Priority Populations during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring Impacts of Changes to Healthcare and Healthcare Utilization through Administrative Data Analysis and Nominal Group Techniques

During the implementation of pandemic control measures in Alberta, there was a noticeable decline in the number of visits to the emergency department. In addition to public health measures like physical distancing, many patients perceived hospitals as places with a higher risk of infection, causing them to avoid going to the emergency department even with serious medical conditions. This led to health issues becoming worse and harder to manage. The negative consequences of reduced emergency department visits may disproportionately affect certain groups, particularly those who heavily rely on emergency departments for their healthcare which often include individuals with lower income and older individuals.

In Alberta and British Columbia, First Nations individuals utilize emergency departments at a much higher rate than non-First Nations individuals. Through information collected by the Alberta health system, we compared emergency department use visits and hospitalizations during the first pandemic wave (March 15, 2020, to June 30, 2020) to the same period in 2019.

Through structured engagement with patients, clinicians and health systems leaders, this study explored whether and how pandemic-driven impacts on healthcare utilization aggravate existing vulnerabilities or inequities.

Project Start: 2020

Project Status: Reporting Results

Ethics ID: Pro00102142

Funder:

Partners

This study builds on an existing research partnership with the Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre, as well as connections to operational (Alberta Health Services) and research leaders in the areas of emergency medicine, seniors care and population health.