What’s more, the patients know it as well:

Among patients who had recent visits to emergency departments, nearly half believed their health problems could have been handled in a doctor’s office, the study said.

Many of the patients said they did not have alternatives, such as same-day appointments with a primary care physician, or evening and weekend appointments; nurse advice lines; or urgent care clinics.

“The survey results validate that for many patients, there are few viable alternatives to the emergency department,” said Maribeth Shannon, director of the foundation’s hospitals and nursing home program.

The key lies in making primary care more attractive to help with access. But is there a will to do this?