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INTRODUCTION: The difficulties in accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and the lack of out-of-hours and crises services have resulted in Ireland's national police force, An Garda Síochána (GS), becoming increasingly involved as first responders to children and young people (CYP) who are experiencing potential mental health crises. AIMS: To outline challenges faced by members of GS and emergency department (ED) professionals in such cases. METHOD: Qualitative study design with semi-structured interviews conducted with a convenience sample of medical and mental health professionals (n = 11) from a paediatric ED who are frequently involved with the interface between GS and CYP experiencing potential mental health crises. Thematic analysis was conducted on transcribed interviews using the software package MaxQDA to systematically organise and code transcriptions. RESULTS: Participants highlighted a lack of appropriate clinical settings within the ED for CYP who attend with a mental health crisis through GS. Whilst participants described positive rapport between GS and ED staff, interactions between GS and patients were identified as challenging. Knowledge gaps amongst members of GS in Mental Health Act (MHA) legislation and restraint were also identified as contributory stressors for GS and emergency department professionals. CONCLUSION: The increased prevalence of CYP mental health issues and psychosocial stressors in conjunction with difficulty in accessing CAMHS means that challenges faced by GS as first responders are likely to continue. Research is needed to quantify the adverse personal impacts on GS along with the potential negative impact on youth. Access to emergency mental health review for youth is essential to optimise the experience of both groups.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: A look back review of South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Ireland, known as the 'Maskey report' (MR), highlighted substandard prescribing practices. The aim of this 'Maskey Impact Study' (MIS) was to explore changes to child and adolescent psychiatrists' prescribing practices following the MR. METHOD: The study was cross-sectional and mixed method. A study specific questionnaire was distributed electronically to psychiatrists working in CAMHS (n = 160). RESULTS: 102 psychiatrists participated in the study (response rate 63.8%). Perceived improvement in prescribing practices included improved medical record keeping (63.7%), consent documentation (53.9%), medication information provision (41.2%) and physical health monitoring (60.8%). However, 43.1% of psychiatrists reported a reluctance to prescribe medication even when clinically indicated and 50% were more likely to avoid off-label use. Most respondents reported increased stress levels (80.4%) with higher stress being significantly associated with reticence in prescribing (χ2 = 11.746, p < .001) and avoiding off-label use (χ2 = 15.392, p < 0.001). Thematic analysis highlighted increased medication hesitancy, enforced 'meaningless' bureaucracy and medication mistrust among families. DISCUSSION: Although improvements reported are welcomed, the increased hesitancy of medication use, avoidance of prescribing more than one medication, and avoidance of off-label use, is of concern with potential unintended adverse consequences. Reluctance in prescribing may deprive youth of access to evidence-based treatments and limit exposure of NCHDs to the safe practice of consultant-initiated psychopharmacology. Further research will be important to determine if this impacts clinical care. Continued education in psychopharmacology is essential along with increased public awareness of the evidence for medication, to help restore public confidence and trust in psychopharmacology.