# Demand for emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic and disease burden: a case study in Portugal

## TL;DR

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, emergency service use dropped significantly, affecting disease burden and highlighting the need for better health strategies during future crises.

## Contribution

This study provides insights into emergency service usage patterns during the pandemic and suggests strategies to mitigate negative health impacts.

## Key findings

- Emergency episode admissions dropped by up to 40% during lockdowns.
- Pre-emergency services and discharges from Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine increased.
- Lower emergency service use negatively impacted disease burden.

## Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic brought changes in the pattern of care use. A significant increase in the volume of emergencies was expected. However, a significant decrease was observed worldwide.

An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study of all records of emergency episodes of patients aged 18 years or older admitted to the emergency services of the University of Porto Hospital Centre (2018–2022) were analysed.

During the pandemic, a significant reduction in emergency episode admissions (up to 40% during lockdowns), an increase in pre-emergency services, and discharges from Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine was observed. The discharges from General Practice and General Practice and Family Medicine were residual.

The lower use and type of use of emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the disease burden. This could be prevented in future pandemics through the development of strategies to promote confidence in the use of health resources and establishing contingency plans for virtual assistance.