Theoretical and Methodological Considerations in the Evaluation of Patients Leaving the Emergency Room Without Receiving Medical Attention

Abstract

The paper provides a thorough review of the major theories and empirical research on medical care looking at previous studies carried out with patients who leave the emergency department without medical evaluation. The model proposed by the author suggests that an association between traditional health belief model and patients' medical visits can be established. In the model it was hypothesized that whether or not a person goes to the office doctor depends upon two variables: 1) the degree to which a person perceives a personal health threat and 2) the degree to which the person perceives that this particular action reduces that threat. These two main variables affect the medical outcome (medical visit) through a series of intervening variables: general health value, health locus of control, severity of the symptoms, and benefits of the medical visit. Methodological aspects of the evaluative proposal and study limitations and implications are discussed.