Factors affecting discharge against medical advice from the emergency department of selected hospitals affiliated by Alborz University of Medical Sciences

Background: Examining the rate of leaving with discharge against medical advice (DAMA) despite not completing the treatment process is one of the ways to be aware of patients' satisfaction with the environment and treatment system.Therefore, the study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting emergency department (ED) discharge with personal responsibility of the patient in selected hospitals of Alborz University of Medical Sciences in 2021. Methods:The present study was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2021 in the emergency department of selected hospitals affiliated by Alborz University of Medical Sciences.The sample size included 200 patients leaving ED with personal consent by stratified random method.Data were created by a researcher checklist using descriptive statistics and SPSS24. Results:The most identified reasons for DAMA from the emergency room of the studied hospitals were educational (50%) and attitudinal-emotional (30%); and the least reasons were related to equipment, physical environment and amenities (12%) and Emergency procedures (7%). Conclusion:DAMA can have many undesirable and sometimes irreversible consequences for them, such as death and infection.Planning for training medical students and scheduling the presence of residents and interns in the ED to prevent overcrowding in this department, as well as identifying factors affecting the patient's attitude and feelings, including explaining the treatment process, are recommended.