Nonurgent use of a pediatric emergency department: a preliminary qualitative study.

Objectives: To understand patterns of decision making among families presenting to a pediatric emergency department (ED) for nonacute care and to understand pediatric ED staff responses.

Methods: Cross-sectional qualitative study using in-depth interviews, direct observations, and nonidentifying demographic data.

Results: Eleven percent of visits made during the study period were identified as nonacute.

Planning emergency medical services for children in Bolivia: part 1-the use of rapid assessment procedures.

Objectives: To describe an expedited process for collecting social and cultural data before program planning to develop emergency medical services for children in La Paz, Bolivia. The overall goal was to understand the relevant issues from the point of view of those most affected.

Methods: An interdisciplinary collaborative research team used several qualitative data collection tools in gathering and interpreting data.

Planning Emergency Medical Services for Children in Bolivia: part 2-results of a Rapid Assessment Procedure.

Objective: To obtain social and cultural data about factors affecting the development of Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMS-C) in La Paz, Bolivia. The points-of-view of potential consumers and providers were sought.

Methods: A Rapid Assessment Procedure (RAP) was conducted.