Les enfants de la salle d’attente en CMP adulte

Abstract

The present study explored the presence of children coming with their parents at the adult outpatient psychiatric care clinic. Our objectives were to describe how their presence was acknowledged by the team, to describe their characteristics, and the context of visit. We also summarized the legal framework (e.g., who take responsibility in case of injury). MethodDuring 3 months, school and holidays, we noted the presence of every child in 3 outpatient care center in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, coming with an adult for a psychiatric care, medications, therapy. ResultsWe founded 31 situations, two-thirds when it was holidays or after school. Most of the children were under the age of 3, two-thirds under the age of 6. Most of them were supervised by a nurse or a secretary and they were invited to stay with them in a separate place. As an outcome of this study, we adapted our practice, after conducting multidisciplinary debriefing. In particular, the medical and paramedical staff now takes account of this component in their clinical examination.