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Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Corresponding Author

Ali Mohsen Al-Jobury

Document Type

Original Study

Keywords

Discharge against medical advice, Babylon Hospitals, Emergency Department

Abstract

Background: With the increasing number of patients leaving the emergency department against medical advice, morbidity, mortality, and readmission rates have risen, placing a strain on the healthcare system.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the demographic characteristics and the reasons why patients left against medical advice among those attending the emergency departments of teaching hospitals in Babylon Governorate.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Babylon Governorate, encompassing three hospitals. using a convenience sample of patients who left the hospital against their physician's advice. Data were collected between August 2024 and February 2025 using a semi-structured questionnaire covering the reasons for and characteristics of patients who left the hospital against their physician's wishes. Ethical approvals were obtained from the administrations of the three hospitals, as well as from the Scientific Committee of the College of Nursing at the University of Hilla.

Results: The study included 510 patients who left the hospital against medical advice. Nearly two-thirds of the participants were male (66.7%), and more than three-quarters (76.7%) were from rural areas. Approximately two-thirds of the patients left without being aware of the potential risks. Respiratory diseases (30.4%) were the most common medical condition, followed by heart disease (21.6%), traffic accident injuries (15.5%), hypertension (12.9%), urinary tract infections (12%), and appendicitis (7.6%). Regarding the causes of (DAMA) the most common reason was the patients' low economic status (40.8%), followed by difficulty communicating with medical staff (27.5%).

Conclusion: The study showed that the majority of males and approximately two-thirds of patients are unaware of the potential risks. The low social status and difficulty communicating with medical staff may be the primary reasons for this. Healthcare providers and educators need strong communication skills.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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