Exploring competence in mental health crisis management: a qualitative study of Norwegian prehospital emergency medical personnel.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aims to investigate how prehospital emergency medical personnel in Norway perceive their competence and manage encounters with patients who are experiencing mental health crises.

Design

A qualitative descriptive design using content analysis was employed, following the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines.

Setting

The study was conducted within four emergency medical care services in a Norwegian hospital trust, covering both urban and rural areas.

Participants

Individual interviews were conducted with 16 health professionals (9 men and 7 women), aged 24-55 years, with 1-18 years of service experience.

Results

The results revealed one main theme-'Balancing security and patient care'-with two subthemes-'Increasing me

SUBMITTER: Skundberg-Kletthagen H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12506131 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature