Mental Health and COVID-19 in Pediatric Emergency Departments: Perspectives From Directors.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The aim of this study is to understand pediatric emergency department (PED) directors' perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on PED visits for mental health concerns.

Methods

Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with a national convenience sample of PED directors. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using rapid content analysis.

Results

Twenty-one PED directors from 18 states were interviewed. Directors perceived an increased volume of mental health visits and higher patient acuity. Some PEDs innovatively adapted services but were also met with new barriers in providing care due to increased use of personal protective equipment and required COVID-19 testing. Transfer to inpatient psychiatric units was more complicat

SUBMITTER: Bowden CF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9015973 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature