"I was worried if I don't have a broken leg they might not take it seriously": Experiences of men accessing ambulance services for mental health and/or alcohol and other drug problems.

Nyssa Ferguson,Emma Bosley,Michael Savic,Dan I. Lubman,Kate Emond,Terence V. McCann,Emma Sandral,Karen Smith,Louise Roberts

doi:10.1111/hex.12886

Abstract

BackgroundA large proportion of ambulance callouts are for men with mental health and/or alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems, but little is known about their experiences of care. This study aimed to describe men's experiences of ambulance care for mental health and/or AOD problems, and factors that influence their care.MethodsInterviews were undertaken with 30 men who used an ambulance service for mental health and/or AOD problems in Australia. Interviews were analysed using the Framework approach to thematic analysis.ResultsThree interconnected themes were abstracted from the data: (a) professionalism and compassion, (b) communication and (c) handover to emergency department staff. Positive experiences often involved paramedics communicating effectively and conveying compassion throughout the episode of care. Conversely, negative experiences often involved a perceived lack of professionalism, and poor communication, especially at handover to emergency department staff.ConclusionIncreased training and organizational measures may be needed to enhance paramedics' communication when providing care to men with mental health and/or AOD problems.

Highlights

Men frequently experience mental health and/or alcohol and other drug (AOD) concerns, yet are often reluctant to seek professional help
Common barriers to men's help‐ seeking for mental health and/or AOD problems include masculine norms around stoicism, stigma, embarrassment, poor recognition and/or communication of symptoms or concerns.[5,6,7]
This study provides a rare exploration of men's experiences of using ambulance services for mental health and/or AOD problems and illustrated three interconnected factors that influenced their care in different ways: professionalism and compassion, communication and handover to emergency department clinicians

Summary

Introduction

Men frequently experience mental health and/or alcohol and other drug (AOD) concerns, yet are often reluctant to seek professional help. A large proportion of ambulance callouts are for men with mental health and/or alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems, but little is known about their experiences of care. Results: Three interconnected themes were abstracted from the data: (a) professionalism and compassion, (b) communication and (c) handover to emergency department staff. Negative experiences often involved a perceived lack of professionalism, and poor communication, especially at handover to emergency department staff

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion