Knowledge and confidence of Australian emergency department clinicians in managing patients with mental health-related presentations: findings from a national qualitative study.

Background: Mental health related presentations are common in Australian Emergency Departments (EDs). We sought to better understand ED staff knowledge and levels of confidence in treating people with mental health related problems using qualitative methods.

Methods: This was a qualitative learning needs analysis of Australian emergency doctors and nurses regarding the assessment and management of mental health presentations.

Perspectives of emergency department staff on the triage of mental health-related presentations: Implications for education, policy and practice.

Objective: To explore ED staff perceptions of the factors that influence accuracy of triage for people with mental health problems.

Methods: This qualitative learning needs analysis used a descriptive exploratory design. Participants were Australian emergency nurses and doctors.

Health-related quality of life outcomes at 1 and 5 years after a residential retreat promoting lifestyle modification for people with multiple sclerosis.

There is a strong body of evidence that supports the use of non-drug therapies in the management of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A 5-day residential retreat for people with MS in Victoria, Australia, promotes lifestyle modification within a patient-centred model of care. Analysis of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the retreat participants was undertaken using the MSQOL-54, prior to attendance, 1 and 5 years after the retreat.

Optimal management of mental health patients in Australian emergency departments: barriers and solutions.

Objectives: The study aimed to describe: (i) the perceived barriers faced by emergency clinicians in the assessment and management of patients presenting with a mental health complaint to Australian hospital EDs; and (ii) perceived strategies to optimize care of the mentally unwell in the ED.

Methods: Semistructured interviews with open and closed question formats were used to explore the barriers perceived by ED doctors and nurses in assessing and managing patients with mental health presentations. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically coded by two researchers using the Framework Approach.

Barriers to the operation of mental health legislation in Australian emergency departments: a qualitative analysis.

This study aimed to describe the perceived barriers faced by emergency clinicians in utilising mental health legislation in Australian hospital emergency departments. A semi-structured interview methodology was used to assess what barriers emergency department doctors and nurses perceive in the operation of mental health legislation. Key findings from the interview data were drawn in accordance with the most commonly represented themes.

Effect of a residential retreat promoting lifestyle modifications on health-related quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of a residential retreat on promoting lifestyle modification for the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: A longitudinal cohort study of adults with self-reported MS who voluntarily attended a five-day residential retreat in rural Victoria, Australia. Participants were asked to complete the MSQOL-54 questionnaire just prior to the retreat, and at one year and 2.

The Emergency Medicine Capacity Assessment Study: perceived resource requirements to support a major increase in intern numbers in Australian emergency departments.

Introduction: A 70% increase in graduating interns is projected in Australia from 2007 to 2012. Emergency medicine is a key term in the intern year. There is little information on the preparedness of EDs for this increase, and what resources will be required.

Supervision and feedback for junior medical staff in Australian emergency departments: findings from the emergency medicine capacity assessment study.

Background: Clinical supervision and feedback are important for the development of competency in junior doctors. This study aimed to determine the adequacy of supervision of junior medical staff in Australian emergency departments (EDs) and perceived feedback provided.

Methods: Semi-structured telephone surveys sought quantitative and qualitative data from ED Directors, Directors of Emergency Medicine Training, registrars and interns in 37 representative Australian hospitals; quantitative data were analysed with SPSS 15.

The Emergency Medicine Capacity Assessment Study: anticipated impact of a major increase in intern numbers in Australian ED.

Objective: To identify emergency medicine (EM) staff perceptions of EM intern rotation, the capacity of ED to accept an increase in intern numbers of 70%, attitudes of staff towards the increase, and its anticipated impact on management of ED, patient care and learning opportunities.

Method: A semistructured telephone interview was conducted with ED Directors, Directors of Emergency Medicine Training (DEMT), advanced trainees and interns in EM from a stratified sample of city, metropolitan and rural/provincial public hospitals in Australia.

Results: Ninety-five interviews were completed with 100% participation from ED Directors.

The capacity of Australian ED to absorb the projected increase in intern numbers.

As a reaction to the medical workforce shortage in Australia, a large expansion of undergraduate medical education has occurred through the provision of funding of additional medical student places. As a consequence, the number of medical graduates is anticipated to increase by as much as 90% with a peak in numbers anticipated in 2012. With ED already under pressure, this increase has serious implications for ED, particularly the delivery of intern and student teaching.

Perceptions of nurse practitioners by emergency department doctors in Australia.

Background: The Australian Medical Association is strongly opposed to the nurse practitioner (NP) role with concerns that NPs may become doctor substitutes without the requisite training and education that the medical role demands. Despite this, NPs have been heralded by some as a potential solution to the access block, workforce shortage and increased demand affecting emergency departments (EDs).

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the perception of NPs by medical staff working in Australian EDs.