Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · Nov 2024
Beyond Education: What is required to support staff to promote equity-oriented health care in EDs?
Context: Staff in Canadian Emergency Departments (EDs) face increasing workplace demands arising in part from system-wide shortages in primary and community care. Patients experiencing stigmatizing conditions such as chronic pain, substance use, and psychiatric disorders may turn to the ED as the only open "door" to access care in the community. Objective: To examine staff perceptions about their work and role, including how they may be prepared or not to address issues of health and health care inequities in EDs. ⋯ Conclusions: The impacts of shortages in primary care reverberate throughout the system. EDs often prioritize efficiency, a focus which cannot adequately equip staff to promote equity. Attention and commitment to addressing structural inequities within EDs could support patients and staff to move closer to the quintuple aim.