Factors associated with emergency department avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic and alternatives sought: a cross-sectional, telephone-based survey of frequent emergency department users in Beirut, Lebanon.

Objectives: To explore avoidant behaviour of frequent emergency department (ED) users, reasons behind ED avoidance and healthcare-seeking behaviours in avoiders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design And Setting: Cross-sectional, telephone-based survey administered between March and August 2021 at a tertiary care centre in Beirut, Lebanon.

Participants: Frequent ED users (defined as patients who visited the ED at least four times during the year prior to the first COVID-19 case in Lebanon).