Table 7

Triggers for choice of site

Per cent (n) unless specifiedEDGeneral practicePharmacyp Value*
(N=81)Rank(N=162)Rank(N=134)Rank
Location and time
 The ‘site 'is in a location convenient for me†51.9 (42)169.1 (112)179.1(106)1<0.001
 Did not have to travel far to visit the ‘site’†34.6 (28)351.2 (83)357.4 (77)2<0.001
 I was already visiting ‘site 'for different reason†2.5 (2)176.8 (11)1635.8 (48)7<0.001
 It was not convenient to go to the chemist1.2 (1)191.9 (3)18NALow counts
 It was not convenient to go to the GP13.6 (11)11NA15.7 (21)170.837
 I can get treatment/advice at ‘site 'without appointmentNRNA36.6 (49)6
Knowing the staff
 I know the ‘staff 'here†1.2 (1)1945.7 (74)526.9 (36)11<0.001
 I feel the ‘staff 'here know me†3.7 (3)1430.9 (50)1019.4 (26)14<0.001
 I am comfortable discussing my illness with ‘staff’ here†23.5 (19)851.2 (83)347.8 (64)4<0.001
 ‘staff’ in ‘site’ in general know about this illness†25.9 (21)741.4 (67)630.6 (41)8.50.037
 I have previously successfully used ‘site’ to treat this illness†16.0 (13)932.1 (52)938.1 (51)50.003
 I could discuss my illness with ‘staff’ in private†13.6 (11)1139.5 (64)721.6 (29)12<0.001
 I needed information about illness from ‘staff’ at ‘site’†34.6 (28)337.0 (60)820.1 (28)130.009
Other options
 My illness was too serious to go to GP30.9 (25)5NANR
 My illness was too serious to go to chemist27.2 (22)6NRNA
 My illness was not serious enough for EDNA63.6 (103)2NR
 My illness was not serious enough for a doctorNANA51.5 (69)3
 I did not want to waste the doctor's timeNRNA30.6 (41)8.5
 I previously consulted GP about illness, but it is not better16.0 (13)9NA18.7 (25)150.775
 I previously consulted pharmacy about illness, but it is not better3.7 (3)149.9 (16)15NA0.158
 I would have to wait longer for appointment at GP37.0 (30)2NA29.9 (40)10<0.001
 I would have to wait longer for appointment at other servicesNR14.8 (24)13NR
 I prefer not to go to EDNA28.4 (46)11NR
 I prefer not to go to GP3.7 (3)14NA11.2 (15)190.097
 I prefer not to go to a chemist4.9 (4)1316.7 (27)12NA0.019
Cost of treatment
 It was cheaper to visit than other services†1.2 (1)196.8 (11)1617.9 (24)16<0.001
 Treatment/advice was cheaper for my illness†1.2 (1)1911.7 (19)1414.9 (20)180.006
Advice/referral
 I came to get advice/treatment that I had seen in media†2.5 (2)170 (0)191.5(2)20Low counts
  • *Pearson χ2 test.

  • †Item recorded on for all sites.

  • ED, emergency department; GP, general practitioner; NA, not applicable for that site; NR, item not recorded for that site version.