Table 1 Interview schedule for clinicians regarding management of mental health presentations to a rural emergency department
Questions | Question probes as needed |
|---|---|
1. How do you feel about managing mental health related presentations to the emergency department? | a. What is your level of confidence and what factors affect this? b. What could improve your confidence? c. Do you have any concerns regarding the management of mental health patients, particularly in a rural setting? |
2. How would you describe the adequacy of the resources and referral pathways available in emergency department for mental health patients? | d. What resources would you like to see increased or made available? e. Are there any issues with use of existing resources e.g. safe rooms |
3. How would you describe the training you have received so far in managing mental health presentations to emergency department? | f. What specific training have you received and has it been adequate? g. Is further training easily accessible to you? What barriers might you encounter in accessing further training? |
4. What is your opinion on the management and transfer of scheduled patients to [nearby centre], particularly given the 2015 changes requiring ambulance escort rather than police transfer? How has the conversion of this hospital’s emergency department to a gazetted facility affected patient management? | h. What are the benefits of this system? i. Are there any issues associated with the system? j. Has this affected the care of non-mental health patients in the ED? |