WASHINGTON, DC—Patients expect physicians to lead their care in medical emergencies, according to a new poll of 10,000 U.S. adults conducted by Morning Consult for the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

Eight in 10 (81%) adults want a physician onsite when they visit an emergency department, according to the ACEP/Morning Consult poll. Three-quarters (74%) of adults said they would be concerned about the quality of care if a physician were not overseeing diagnosis and treatment.

“Patients want physicians leading emergency care,” said ACEP President L. Anthony Cirillo, MD, FACEP. “There is no substitute for an emergency physician’s years of education, training, and experience. We are the experts who should be leading emergency care onsite in every emergency department around the country.”

Patients also support solutions to prevent violence and improve safety in emergency departments. More than three-quarters (78%) of adults are concerned about the safety of emergency care teams and eight in 10 (81%) want stronger safety measures, including federal laws to increase protections for emergency care teams.  

Respondents said their fear of high medical bills and uncertainty about insurance coverage influences their care decisions. A majority (61%) of patients are concerned that their insurance would not cover an emergency department visit, the poll finds. A third (33%) of patients indicate they or a family member delayed or avoided emergency care due to cost and insurance concerns.

Further, crowded emergency departments raise concerns about getting care when it matters most. Over half of respondents (52%) say they would delay or avoid emergency care if they knew they could be at risk of “boarding,” defined as hospital bottlenecks that result in prolonged waits for care or transfer.

“In a medical emergency, no one should have to wonder who is leading their care or delay seeking treatment because of concerns about their insurance coverage,” said Dr. Cirillo.

Federal law requires emergency physicians to treat anyone, anytime, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay, and the Prudent Layperson Standard requires insurance companies to cover care based on symptoms, not final diagnosis.

“Every patient deserves the confidence that comes with knowing they can get the emergency care they need, whenever and wherever they need it, and that their care is led by an emergency physician,” said Dr. Cirillo.