New research has found NDIS support workers believe emergency departments to be unsafe environments for NDIS participants with psychosocial disability.
Research conducted by Mind Australia and the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research and Education Group has been exploring the experience of NDIS participants when presenting to emergency departments.
This research has been led by Heather McIntyre – the inaugural recipient of a Mind funded PhD scholarship delivered in partnership with the University of South Australia.
As part of this research, Heather interviewed 17 NDIS support workers asking them about their engagement with emergency department clinicians.
Key findings from the study included:
- NDIS support workers said emergency departments can be an unsafe environment for the people they are caring for
- NDIS support workers are often stigmatised by clinicians
- Clinicians are unclear what the NDIS provides
- Emergency department staff have limited education in mental health
- The lack of communication between emergency department and NDIS services reduces service integration and affects continuity of care
- NDIS support workers reported using interventions, such as advance mental health care plans and crisis care plans, to expedite care and follow-up after discharge.
Heather, who has cared for three women in her family who have lived with serious mental illness and emotional distress, says she has been able to combine her perspectives as both a researcher and a carer to address the research questions and present the experience of the emergency department from the perspectives of NDIS participants, carers and clinicians that this qualitative descriptive study is exploring.
“NDIS support workers have an understanding of the needs of the people they care for; their wisdom can contribute greatly to emergency department clinical responses in crisis care,” she said.
“This study demonstrates that incorporating the knowledge and expertise of NDIS support workers enhances engagement with clinicians for the people presenting.”
Heather says the research identified solutions that would help improve the experience for NDIS participants when accessing emergency care.
“The support workers that we spoke with said providing clinicians with mental health training and clear guidance around the support NDIS offers is imperative to guide clinicians toward suitable care options for people with psychosocial disability and NDIS plans,” Heather explained.
“Connection between the NDIS and emergency department services can be strengthened by sharing responsibility for service integration, and would help improve communication and continuity of care.”
NDIS support workers were also asked how they contribute to service integration to improve communication practices between emergency departments and NDIS providers. Strategies they employ in the emergency department include:
- advocacy with clinical staff
- finding an appropriate, sensory sensitive space (for example, a private room)
- assisting with communication between clinicians, patients and their support networks
- educating emergency department staff on what the NDIS provides, and
- communicating and connecting with other services.
Mind Executive Director Research, Advocacy & Policy Development, Nicola Ballenden, said Heather’s research would ultimately help provide better outcomes for NDIS participants.
“We know NDIS participants can face a number of barriers when accessing support, so identifying ways to improve their experience is imperative. We also know that poor experiences in hospital settings can further exacerbate mental distress,” Ms Ballenden said.
“Heather’s research not only identifies these challenges, but it presents a number of solutions that can significantly improve the experience of someone with psychosocial disability in emergency settings. Mind Australia is proud to support this important work.”
Heather’s research: Let us keep the emergency department safe: National Disability Insurance Scheme support workers’ experiences when supporting people with psychosocial disability in the emergency department has been published in Health & Social Care in the Community.