Abstract
This study explores how professionals experience persons who frequently use psychiatric emergency services (PES) in terms of their needs in Sweden. The data comprise 19 semi-structured individual interviews and one focus group interview with healthcare professionals (i.e., assistant nurses, psychiatric nurses, intern physicians, and resident physicians), which are analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The overall findings suggest that persons who frequently use PES suffer from illness, unfavorable life circumstances, and inadequate care, which together emphasize the need for more sustainable support. The findings indicate that the professionals saw beyond illness-related needs and could also acknowledge patients’ needs originating from social, existential, and care- and support-related aspects of life.
Highlights
Use of psychiatric emergency services (PES) has increased in recent decades (Aagaard, Aagaard, & Buus, 2014; Brown, 2005; Schmidt, 2018)
The overall findings suggest that persons who frequently use PES suffer from illness, unfavorable life circumstances, and inadequate care, which together emphasize the need for more sustainable support
Previous research arrived at similar results, finding that this relatively small group is responsible for a disproportionately high number of visits in both Scandinavian (Aagaard et al, 2014) and international contexts, including North America (Chaput & Lebel, 2007; Lincoln et al, 2016), Europe (Boyer et al, 2011; Ledoux & Minner, 2006; Richard-Lepouriel et al, 2015), and Australia (Wooden, Air, Schrader, Wieland, & Goldney, 2009; Zhang, Harvey, & Andrew, 2011)
Summary
Use of psychiatric emergency services (PES) has increased in recent decades (Aagaard, Aagaard, & Buus, 2014; Brown, 2005; Schmidt, 2018). Previous research arrived at similar results, finding that this relatively small group is responsible for a disproportionately high number of visits in both Scandinavian (Aagaard et al, 2014) and international contexts, including North America (Chaput & Lebel, 2007; Lincoln et al, 2016), Europe (Boyer et al, 2011; Ledoux & Minner, 2006; Richard-Lepouriel et al, 2015), and Australia (Wooden, Air, Schrader, Wieland, & Goldney, 2009; Zhang, Harvey, & Andrew, 2011). While useful in identifying the characteristics of this group, all of these are quantitative studies and have not focused on explaining what aspects apart from demographics and diagnostics could identify the needs of these persons that make them frequently visit PES
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
