ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2026
Exploring factors associated with high frequency emergency department use by children and young people: a retrospective cohort study.
Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
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Abstract
objectiveTo explore drivers of high frequency emergency department (ED) use by children and young people, particularly among those attending EDs most often.
designA population-based retrospective cohort study using routinely collected linked healthcare data.
settingEDs in the Yorkshire and Humber region of the UK. PATIENTS: 288 545 children and young people aged 17 and under making at least one ED attendance in the year period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017.
main outcome measuresED attendances made by individuals in the year period.
resultsOf the 288 545 distinct children and young people making at least one attendance to an ED, 27 560 (9.6%) were defined as high frequency ED attenders (making 3+attendances in the year) and accounted for 105 063 (25%) ED attendances in the study period. When considering factors associated with ED attendance rates, younger age groups and greater levels of deprivation were found to be associated with higher rates of attendance. This association was amplified in those attending the ED most often. Ethnicity was found to be associated with ED attendance rates, with those reported as mixed and other ethnicities displaying greater rates of attendance than those reported as white and those reported as black ethnicity displaying lower attendance rates in comparison to those reported as white. The interaction between an individual's deprivation and ethnic status generally displayed lower rates of attendance in ethnic minorities belonging to the most deprived category.
conclusionsWhen seeking to reduce frequent ED attendance by children and young people this study highlights the need for any approach to be multifaceted, nuanced to age or condition specifics and consider social determinants that drive ED use in more deprived areas.
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