Optimal management of mental health patients in Australian emergency departments: Barriers and solutions

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to describe: (i) the perceived barriers faced by emergency clinicians in the assessment and management of patients presenting with a mental health complaint to Australian hospital EDs; and (ii) perceived strategies to optimize care of the mentally unwell in the ED. Methods: Semistructured interviews with open and closed question formats were used to explore the barriers perceived by ED doctors and nurses in assessing and managing patients with mental health presentations. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically coded by two researchers using the Framework Approach. Results: Thirty-six interviews were conducted with 20 members of the Australasian Coll..