RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study explores rates of birth-related symptoms of trauma in a population of parents experiencing severe perinatal mental illness. METHOD: Birthing-parents admitted to a perinatal inpatient unit completed birth trauma measures on admission which were descriptively analyzed. RESULTS: The population had higher rates of birth-related potentially traumatic events and trauma-related symptoms than the general population. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight that assessing for and responding to experiences of birth trauma is highly relevant to an inpatient perinatal population.
Assuntos
Pacientes Internados , Período Pós-Parto , Humanos , Feminino , Adulto , Período Pós-Parto/psicologia , Pacientes Internados/estatística & dados numéricos , Masculino , Gravidez , Parto/psicologia , Transtornos Mentais/terapia , Transtornos Mentais/epidemiologia , Pais/psicologia , Serviços de Saúde Mental/estatística & dados numéricos , Trauma Psicológico/terapia , Trauma Psicológico/epidemiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: In this study we aimed to examine the characteristics of Mental Health Act (MHA) usage in the Emergency Department (ED) of an urban teaching hospital in Sydney. METHODS: All MHA certificates written on individuals in the ED over a 12-week period in 2013 were collected. The medical record of each individual was reviewed by a member of the research team using an audit tool developed for the study. Any uncertainty over individual cases was addressed through research team consensus. RESULTS: A total of 172 MHA certificates were collected; 67 were written by police, 45 by ambulance, 54 by medical officers and three by accredited persons. Three magistrate orders for assessment were also received. Seventy percent of police and 60% of ambulance MHA certificates did not result in admission. Over a third were revoked by ED physicians. Forty-five people (32.4%) who presented voluntarily were subsequently detained. CONCLUSIONS: Police and ambulance MHA certification was a poor predictor of admission. Least restrictive measures were predominantly the outcome. Delegating ED physicians with authorised medical officer status assisted in facilitating this process. Formalised education and training on the principles and practicalities of MHA legislation should be ongoing for all professionals involved.