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Experiences of health professionals managing people presenting to emergency departments after taking Ice

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-24, 15:24 authored by Usher, K, Cleary, M, Rachel KornhaberRachel Kornhaber, Woods, C

Since the mid-2000s, crystal methamphetamine, also known as ‘Ice’ has received significant attention by the Australian media, naming the problem as an epidemic. Media reports related to ‘Ice’ continue to occur regularly on television and in the press with emphasis on issues such as ease of access to the drug, reduced costs, the impact on emergency services and police services, particularly homicides, and aggressive and violent crimes. The Prime Minister of Australia recently announced the formation of a task force to coordinate a national response to the ’Ice’ epidemic. Presentations to hospitals where methamphetamines are the principal drug of concern are increasing and methamphetamine use was related to psychiatric disorders ranging from auditory hallucinations, paranoia, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation and psychosis. In this paper we report on the experiences of health professionals who have managed one or more persons presenting to an Emergency Department (ED) after taking crystal methamphetamine.

Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio recorded and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings provide insights as to how front-line health professionals in EDs have been affected by patients presenting after taking ’Ice’, and how they manage these patients. It is vital to understand how health professionals are coping with patients intoxicated with ‘Ice’ and whether there is a need for additional mental health education and support for front-line responders.

History

Publication title

International Journal of Mental Health Nursing

Volume

25 (Suppl. 1)

Pagination

51

ISSN

1445-8330

Department/School

School of Nursing

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia

Place of publication

Australia

Event title

ACMHN‘s 42nd International Mental Health Nursing Conference

Event Venue

Adelaide, Australia

Date of Event (Start Date)

2016-10-25

Date of Event (End Date)

2016-10-27

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Mental health

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