[Experiences and perceptions of psychiatric emergency nurses in Martinique with elderly patients]

In Martinique, France's most aging territory in 2022, the context of medical shortages encourages reflection on the multidisciplinary nature of care, particularly in emergency departments, for elderly patients. This article reports the results of a qualitative study, for which data from 19 individual interviews with nurses were collected on their experience in caring for patients over the age of 65 who were assessed in psychiatric emergency departments. A semi-structured interview guide was used during the recorded interviews. Inductive thematic analysis identified nine themes of interest: positive aspects of care, difficulties, most memorable consultations, care of suicidal patients, cognitive disorders identified by nurses, isolation and restraint measures, exchanges with caregivers, cases of abuse, and areas for improvement suggested by nurses. The results of this study suggest that nurses perceive specific training in geriatric psychiatry, combined with the development of protocols for the care of elderly patients, as levers for improving their care. Thus, a protocol for the nursing care of elderly suicidal patients in psychiatric emergency departments has been developed.