Barriers Associated with Cardiovascular Disease and the Impact of Primary Care Leading to Necessary Emergency Department Visits in The Central Valley

Purpose: The research identified barriers associated with cardiovascular disease and the impact of primary care leading to emergency department (ED) visits in the Central Valley. Methods: A semi-structured 16-question interview was conducted at St. Agnes Medical Center in order to gain a fuller understanding of the involvement of primary care providers and their interactions in educating individuals about CVD. Results: 54 of the total 63 participants report having access to primary care however, some patients expressed they never had access to a cardiologist. Many of the participants (41 of 63) were confident that their care providers were greatly knowledgeable. A total of 46 of the 63 participants felt adequately cared for, while eight of the participants felt that the care, they received was not adequate by reporting that the care was bad or inadequate. Participants expressed that there were some challenges in receiving accessibility of care and many faced socioeconomic challenges. Conclusion: There have been many studies focusing on readmission rates with the expansion of ACA. However, none specifically evaluates a region within a state that has multiple socio-economic challenges and the use of primary care visits in relation to cardiovascular disease emergency department visits. There are many socioeconomic factors that, when not favorable, can lead to inadequate care towards the patient. Therefore, strategies to improve the care provided to diagnosed patients should be informed and guided by the influence that these socio-economic factors have with regard to the healthcare experience.