Healthcare Policy
Reasons for High Emergency Department Use Among Patients With Common Mental Disorders or Substance-Related Disorders
Karine-Michèle Dion, Francine Ferland, Lambert Farand, Lise Gauvin and Marie-Josée Fleury
Abstract
Aims: This study examined the reasons for high emergency department (ED) use among patients with common mental disorders (MDs), substance-related disorders (SRDs) or co-occurring MDs-SRDs.
Method: Following content analysis, 42 high ED users (three-plus visits/year) recruited in two Quebec EDs were interviewed.
Results: The reasons included barriers to outpatient care, patient disabilities and professional practices. Patients with SRDs trust outpatient services less, those with MDs had important unmet needs and those with MDs-SRDs faced care coordination issues.
Conclusion: Improvements such as ED use monitoring, consolidating MD-SRD practices and continuous training are needed in EDs and outpatient services to enhance access and continuity of care.
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