What are the experiences of Emergency Department nurses in caring for clients with a mental illness in the Emergency Department?

Teen Experiences Following a Suicide Attempt

“…Valente (2011) found that there are many barriers to nurses intervening with suicidal clients, including a lack of knowledge and feeling uncomfortable with the topic. Nurses cited lack of time and an environment not conducive to caring for those with mental health issues as decreasing the quality of care given (Marynowski-Traczyk & Broadbent, 2011). The poor care that suicidal patients receive is also linked to health care providers' attitudes toward suicidal patients and lack of training related to suicide risk assessment (Smith, Silva, Covington, & Joiner, 2013;Valente, 2011).…”

Emergency department staff attitudes towards mental health consumers: A literature review and thematic content analysis

“…Concerns, such as the high pressured, high stimulation, noisy and fast paced environments and lack of privacy, were felt to be not conducive to providing optimal care (Marynowski-Traczyk & Broadbent 2011). Insufficient resources in the ED, including long waiting times (Pich et al 2011), lack of specific mental health protocols/triage tools (Kerrison & Chapman 2007), the apparent lack of effective interventions (Anderson et al 2003) and role ambiguity amongst healthcare providers (Wright et al 2003) compound the problems of inadequate space and time for good mental health care (Anderson et al 2003).…”

“…If the presenting complaint is perceived as outside the patient's control, for example within the parameters of a defined mental disorder, this may be considered more acceptable and 'treatable' by clinicians as they are more likely to feel able to intervene meaningfully and, consequently, more motivated to do so (McKay & Barrrowclough 2005, Hadfield et al 2009). Repetitive presentations, where nothing is seen to have changed or improved, also appear to have a detrimental impact on clinicians' self-perceived efficacy and consequential limited engagement with this sub-group (Doyle et al 2007, Anderson et al 2003, Hadfield et al 2009, Conlon et al 2010, Marynowski-Traczyk et al 2011). …”

Nurses’ experiences of unprofessional behaviors in the emergency department: A qualitative study

“…Staff are pressured to provide patient‐centered care, work as members of high‐performing teams amid stressful situations and resource limitations, and at the same time, achieve balance in their personal lives (Person et al, ). Patients’ presenting to the ED are often distressed, vulnerable, and might have high levels of anxiety and/or pain (Marynowski‐Traczyk & Broadbent, ). Nurses caring for these patients require compassion, empathy, and skills, and specialty expertise to address patient needs.…”