Paramedic perceptions of decision-making when managing mental health-related presentations: a qualitative study.

Background: Mental health presentations account for a considerable proportion of paramedic workload; however, the decision-making involved in managing these cases is poorly understood. This study aimed to explore how paramedics perceive their clinical decision-making when managing mental health presentations.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study design was employed.

Characteristics of Confidence and Preparedness in Paramedics in Metropolitan, Regional, and Rural Australia to Manage Mental-Health-Related Presentations: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Mental-health-related presentations account for a considerable proportion of the paramedic's workload in prehospital care. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the perceived confidence and preparedness of paramedics in Australian metropolitan and rural areas to manage mental-health-related presentations. Overall, 1140 paramedics were surveyed.

"I was worried if I don't have a broken leg they might not take it seriously": Experiences of men accessing ambulance services for mental health and/or alcohol and other drug problems.

Background: A large proportion of ambulance callouts are for men with mental health and/or alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems, but little is known about their experiences of care. This study aimed to describe men's experiences of ambulance care for mental health and/or AOD problems, and factors that influence their care.

Methods: Interviews were undertaken with 30 men who used an ambulance service for mental health and/or AOD problems in Australia.

Paramedics' perceptions of their scope of practice in caring for patients with non-medical emergency-related mental health and/or alcohol and other drug problems: A qualitative study.

Background: Paramedics are called on frequently to provide care to patients with mental health and/or and alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems, but may have mixed views about how this fits within their role.

Aims: To explore paramedics' experience of caring for patients with non-medical emergency-related mental health and/or AOD problems, understand their perceptions of their scope of practice in caring for these patients, and ascertain if their practice should be extended to incorporate education with these patients.

Method: A convenience sample of 73 paramedics from most Australian states and territories-recruited through an online survey-participated in individual audio-recorded, qualitative interviews, conducted by telephone.

Recognition of, and attitudes towards, people with depression and psychosis with/without alcohol and other drug problems: results from a national survey of Australian paramedics.

Objective: Continuing stigma towards mental health problems means that many individuals-especially men-will first present in crisis, with emergency services often the first point of call. Given this situation, the aims of this paper were to assess paramedics' ability to recognise, and their attitudes towards, males with clinically defined depression and psychosis with and without comorbid alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems.

Methods: A cross-sectional national online survey of 1230 paramedics throughout Australia.

Paramedic management of mental health related presentations: a scoping review.

Background: Mental illness is a recognised global health issue and is a major burden of disease that health systems have failed to adequately address. National reforms in Australia to improve mental health service delivery propose building the knowledge and skills of service providers, such as paramedics, to ensure that they appropriately respond to the needs of people experiencing mental health issues. There is a paucity of literature on the role of paramedics in managing mental health presentations despite becoming an increasingly significant part of mental health care in the pre-hospital context.