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Frequency of in-office emergencies in primary care
Canadian Family Physician, 10/19/09

Liddy C et al. – Studies have repeatedly shown that FPs are not prepared for in–office emergencies. Many guidelines aimed at rectifying the lack of preparedness have been developed, but there are no published data regarding the frequency of in–office emergencies in Canada. This study aimed to examine the frequency and types of emergencies seen in a large urban area. Two percent of all calls for life–threatening emergencies originated from FPs’ offices; this represents more than 1000 in–office emergencies a year in the Ottawa, Ont, area. The most common types of emergencies were cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurologic. There was significant age and seasonal variation by type of complaint. Knowing this might help physicians plan for emergencies relevant to their patient populations. For example, physicians who serve elderly patient populations should probably be prepared for cardiovascular emergencies; those with younger, predominantly female populations should be prepared for allergic–type and gynecologic or obstetric emergencies. The seasonal variation in types of emergencies suggests that at peak times of the year doctors should anticipate seeing specific types of emergencies. Respiratory emergencies are more common in the winter and less common in the summer. Musculoskeletal emergencies increase in the winter and fall.

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