The Experiences and Perceptions of Street-Involved Youth Regarding Emergency Department Services

This study used a grounded theory and community-based approach to examine these issues. Focus groups and individual interviews were facilitated with 48 SI youth between ages 15 and 26 years, recruited in hospital or through community agencies serving SI youth in a major Western Canadian city. Results demonstrate that SI youth often perceived suboptimal care and experienced long waiting periods that led to many avoiding or prematurely exiting the ED. Service gaps appeared to have a negative bearing on their care and health outcomes. Findings invite a critical review of ED care processes, structures, and staff interactions in the aim of enhancing ED services to SI youth.

Source: Qualitative Health Research - April 7, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Nicholas, D. B., Newton, A. S., Calhoun, A., Dong, K., deJong-Berg, M. A., Hamilton, F., Kilmer, C., McLaughlin, A. M., Shankar, J. Tags: General Articles Source Type: research