Patient Anxiety and Communication Experience in the Emergency Department: A Mobile, Web-Based, Mixed-Methods Study on Patient Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e303
- Author:
Sumin KIM
1
;
Hansol CHANG
;
Taerim KIM
;
Won Chul CHA
Author Information
1. Department of Digital Health, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2023;38(39):e303-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Anxiety and communication difficulties in the emergency department (ED) may increase for various reasons, including isolation due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, little research on anxiety and communication in EDs exists. This study explored the isolation-related anxiety and communication experiences of ED patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:A prospective mixed-methods study was conducted from May to August 2021 at the Samsung Medical Center ED, Seoul. There were two patient groups: isolation and control.Patients measured their anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI X1) at two time points, and we surveyed patients at two time points about factors contributing to their anxiety and communication experiences. These were measured through a mobile web-based survey. Researchers interviewed patients after their discharge.
Results:ED patients were not anxious regardless of isolation, and there was no statistical significance between each group at the two time points. STAI X1 was 48.4 (standard deviation [SD], 8.0) and 47.3 (SD, 10.9) for early follow-up and 46.3 (SD, 13.0) and 46.2 (SD, 13.6) for late follow-up for the isolation and control groups, respectively. The clinical process was the greatest factor contributing to anxiety as opposed to the physical environment or communication. Communication was satisfactory in 71.4% of the isolation group and 66.7% of the control group. The most important aspects of communication were information about the clinical process and patient status.
Conclusion:ED patients were not anxious and were generally satisfied with medical providers’ communication regardless of their isolation status. However, patients need clinical process information for anxiety reduction and better communication.
