Emergency Department Head: Younger Generation Lacks Self-Care Skills

The head of the emergency department at North Estonia Medical Center, Marit Märk, described a busy summer, even with a new policy allowing patients with less severe issues to be sent home after an initial assessment. Märk stated it is too early to determine the policy's impact but emphasized the department's goal of educating patients in self-care for minor ailments.

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We want to train patients, so they provide initial self-care.

"We want to train patients, so they provide initial self-care," Märk said, noting that minor scrapes and tick removals are examples of issues patients could handle independently. She referenced a survey where about half of patients hadn't contacted their GP before visiting the ER, and nearly 75% were unaware of the GP's advice line.

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Our one goal is still to educate patients, that the patient must provide initial self-care themselves.

Märk also highlighted that some patients, particularly the elderly, hesitate to seek help despite needing it. These individuals are often cautious and reserved, not calling for an ambulance or seeing a doctor. She encouraged those with critical conditions, such as speech difficulties or severe chest pain, to contact the healthcare system immediately.

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This could still be the first place to start. Perhaps a patient who has turned to the ER has already turned to a healthcare professional before.

Tick-related concerns are common in the ER during summer, but Märk clarified that tick removal is not a critical procedure requiring an ER visit. Patients seeking tick removal at the ER now face a 50-euro fee on top of the visit charge, though this may be waived if the tick is in an inaccessible location. Märk observed that both younger and older patients seek ER assistance for tick removal, noting that the younger generation appears to have lower levels of medical and self-care skills, despite readily available over-the-counter remedies.

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Our older patient, who may wait at home for a very long time. They do not call an ambulance, do not contact a doctor. They are such conservative and modest people.