The PACMAN Study
Summary
Children and youth very commonly visit emergency departments when they need mental health and addictions care. Reasons include depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, behaviour problems, or substance use (e.g., drugs and alcohol). For children, youth, and their families, these crises are stressful, can be overwhelming, and leave the family vulnerable. Receiving diagnosis and treatment quickly, and making sure young people and their families are connected to services in their community is important. Recently, we have made changes to how mental health and addictions care is provided at the Alberta Children's Hospital and Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Departments. The purpose of the PACMAN Study is to understand children/youth and their parents/caregivers' experiences and satisfaction with care and outcomes.
Eligibility
Eligible gender: Male, Female, Transgender, Other
Inclusion criteria:
Children and youth are eligible for this study if they visit the Alberta Children's Hospital or Stollery Children's Hospital Emergency Department, are under 18 years of age, and have a mental health concern in one of the following categories:
a) Behavioural concerns
b) Mood/depression
c) Anxiety
d) Situational crisis/suicidal ideation
e) Insomnia
Exclusion criteria:
Children and youth are not eligible for the study if they visit the Alberta Children's Hospital or Stollery Children's Hospital Emergency department and were:
a) Brought by police, peace officers, or ambulance
b) Held at any time during their visit against their will
c) Experiencing hallucinations or delusions
d) Visiting because of an eating disorder
e) Visiting because of intentional self-harm that required medical care
f) Identified as having barriers to communication
Participate
Additional information
Contact information
Recruitment is only through Alberta Children's Hospital and Stollery Children's Hospital Emergency Department visits. Eligible patients that visit these Emergency Departments during the study period will be contacted by the Research Team.
Principal investigator:
Stephen Freedman
Clinical trial:
No
REB-ID:
REB19-0357