ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Emergency departments (EDs) are vital to the timely and necessary care that a significant percentage of patients get. Emergency medicine places a high priority on quality, and to deliver patient-centered care, it is crucial to first investigate patient expectations from ER visits. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional study of all visits to the King Abdulaziz University Hospital Emergency Department in Jeddah. The study included adult patients who visited the emergency department and were willing to complete a survey and participate in an interview. Data was collected through face-to-face questionnaires. Patient's expectations during their visit to the emergency department were correlated to different parameters using univariate and bivariate analysis. RESULTS: The study included 291 patients. The majority of patients believed that their medical condition required admission to the hospital and agreed that it would be easier to receive treatment if admitted to the hospital. Results showed that 65.6% (n=191) of patients reported that the most serious patients should be seen first, and 65.3% (n=190) reported that a doctor should determine the seriousness of their health problem upon arrival. There was no significant difference found between age groups in relation to other items of expectations. CONCLUSION: It is clear that a sizable percentage of patients place a high value on seeing the most urgent cases first and having a doctor assess each patient's condition when they arrive. Our results show that, in order to guarantee the best patient happiness and care, healthcare practitioners must meet patients' expectations and modify their strategies accordingly.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Complementary and integrative medicine (CAM) is a prevalent approach often used with conventional medical practices The study aims to understand the factors influencing breast cancer (BC) survivors' decisions regarding CAM therapy and the drivers behind their use. SETTING: This research was conducted at an academic hospital in Saudi Arabia. The study used cross-sectional research with a questionnaire. Participants were enrolled in the study through BC survivors' groups on WhatsApp. Individuals who were actively following up at the clinic were also interviewed. Informed consent was obtained. RESULTS: The study surveyed 211 BC survivors, aged 34-49 (50.2%), who had undergone surgery (93.4%), hormonal therapy (66.4%), and chemotherapy (87.7%). Less than half (44.5%) had chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. CAM users were 43.6%. The most used CAM modalities were Zamzam water, honey, and water read-upon Quran. A significant motivator for CAM use was to boost the immune system. More than half of patients used less than 100 SAR per month on CAM modalities. Exactly 80.4% of CAM users perceived benefits from CAM use. Predictors of CAM use included higher family monthly income, radiation therapy, and being diagnosed from 1 to 5 years. BC survivors without medical conditions after diagnosis were less likely to use CAM. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the prevalence, predictive factors, motivations, and perceived benefits of CAM use among BC survivors in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for understanding and integration into cancer care plans and the need for further research on CAM safety and efficacy.