EPA-1268 – Mental health disorders in emergency departments of general hospital in east european countries

Abstract

The prevalence of mental disorders in emergency department (ED) is high and usually underestimated. Mental health system has to be developed in concordance to the needs. The aims of this study are evaluation the diagnosis rate of mental health clients in ED of general hospital, evaluation of rate of referrals to recommended. The current study is aimed to analyze (a) the rate of mental health diagnosis in ED clients from general hospitals and (b) rates of referrals to recommended psychiatric services and other specific treatment. Material and method This is an observational study performed within the EDs from five different East European countries: Romania, Serbia, Moldova, Bulgaria and Albania. The data collected from every ED include the number of recorded patients with psychiatric diagnosis, characteristics of these patients (age, gender, rural/urban origin, and professional status), number of recommended referrals to psychiatric settings and specific treatment and covers the 3 months’ period. The identification data were not collected from patients as for the ethical reasons. Results estimate level of diagnosis of mental health disorders in ED patients in general hospitals in East European countries and find gaps in needs and services received in ED for mental health clients. Conclusions All countries involved in project are in the period of mental health services development and identification of the specific unmet needs for mental health clients in ED that can contribute for further strategy development based on study's findings.