Abstract
Aim: The aim of this research was to identify Emergency Department Nurses' experience of working with Mental Health clients in an Emergency Department setting in New Zealand.
Background: The Emergency Department is often the first point of contact for Mental Health clients when experiencing a Mental Health concern or crisis. There have been increasing numbers of Mental Health presentations to Emergency Departments in recent years. There is ongoing concern expressed in the literature regarding the management of Mental Health clients in the Emergency Department setting. There has been no research to date completed on the experience of Emergency Department staff working with Mental Health clients from a New Zealand perspective. This identified gap has prompted the initiation of this research.
Research Design: This study was completed using a qualitative descriptive design. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants with six Emergency Department nurses electing to participate in the research. The interviews were completed using a semi-structured guide to allow the participants experiences to be expressed. A thematic analysis was used to analyse the data found.
Findings: Six themes, with a number of associated subthemes, emerged from the interviews. These themes found were; relationships and rapport with Mental Health clients, concerns and challenges caring for Mental Health clients in the Emergency Department, inability to provide optimal care, professional safety, The Mental Health liaison staff and Māori Mental Health clients in the Emergency Department.
Conclusion: The completion of this dissertation has answered the research question posed. The research findings of this dissertation have found similar themes to international literature reviewed but new findings have been identified, particularly around the views and experiences of working with security guards in the Emergency Department. Limitations of this research have been identified and recommendations for further research have been listed.