Mental health practitioners’ experiences and practices in making decisions about onward care for patients presenting to emergency departments with self-harm or suicidal ideation: systematic review and meta-synthesis

Key Points

• The aim is to explore the experiences and decision-making practices of mental health practitioners concerning patients with self-harm or suicidal ideation.
• Conducted a systematic review of existing literature.
• Analyzed studies focusing on mental health practitioners in emergency department settings.
• Examined qualitative and quantitative evidence regarding decision-making practices.
• Identified significant emotional and systemic pressures influencing practitioners' decision-making.
• Highlighted the need for improved care access and assessment quality.
• Recommended reforms and additional training to support compassionate care.