Evaluating Patient and Physician Cost Knowledge in the Emergency Department

Do Providers and Consumers Know the Cost of Common Tests and Procedures Delivered in the Emergency Department?

The purpose of this study is to identify existing cost knowledge of Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians and patients and investigates its reported impacts on medical compliance. A cross-sectional survey will be administered electronically to Emergency Medicine physicians at the University of Utah Hospital and the Emergency Physician Integrated Care, LLC (EPIC) who staff ten-community hospital Emergency Departments (ED) in order to investigate physician knowledge and attitudes regarding cost and perceived patient compliance. In addition, a cross-sectional survey will be administered to a convenience sample of patients presenting to the University of Utah Emergency Department to obtain information about their cost knowledge and reported compliance. All ED patients will complete a follow-up phone survey to measure compliance with recommendations made during the ED visits. Following administration of the baseline survey physicians will be provided the prices of the test and procedures and will be re-surveyed 30-days later as a post intervention test to measure changes in knowledge and attitudes.

Inclusion Criteria Patient Population:

• 18 years old or older
• Deemed psychologically and medically stable by the ED care provide
• Speak English

Exclusion Criteria Patient Population:

• Prisoner
• Brought to Emergency Department by Emergency Medical Service

Inclusion Criteria Physician Population:

• Employed in target medical practices

Exclusion Criteria Physician Population:

• none