An exploration of absconding behaviours from culturally and linguistically diverse psychiatric hospital patients in Australia

Abstract

Psychiatric morbidity among minority populations is believed to be higher than in the general population due to unmet health care need, and where significant health inequalities are experienced within culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations (WHO 2004(WHO , 2007. Absconding (psychiatric patients running away from hospital) is a high risk event and has been linked to harm to self and others. Very little research has been conducted into the absconding behaviours of people from a CALD background. In this study, a population of in-patients from a CALD background who

Five‐year review of absconding in three acute psychiatric inpatient wards in Australia

“…The elevated absconding rate in the present study underscores the importance of cultural safety in health care (Mosel et al . ), although Williamson and Harrison () argue that nurse training might overly focus on learning stereotyped knowledge of values and beliefs, and that this concept ‘is in danger of becoming rhetoric only’ (p. 767). These authors stress that, for ATSI clients, ‘any approach to culture and practice which incorporates the history of contact provides a more meaningful insight into the reasons for their poor health status than can be achieved with a focus on traditional beliefs and values’ (p. 767).…”

Never ever? Characteristics, outcomes and motivations of patients who abscond or escape: A 5‐year review of escapes and absconds from two medium and low secure forensic units

“…Only 10 of the 39 included papers provided a definition of absconding which, the authors note, made it difficult to compare prevalence rates. Outside the UK, most studies focus on absconding from general psychiatric facilities (Mosel et al, ).…”