Bridging Care After Discharge from the Emergency Department for Patients Presenting with a Mental Health Concern

AimTo explore patient experiences of receiving telephone-delivered brief contact interventions following discharge from the emergency department for a variety of mental health or substance use concerns.DesignQualitative descriptive study.MethodsFollowing a brief contact intervention delivered by telephone, semi-structured interviews were conducted to assess the patient experience. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze interview transcripts; descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic characteristics.Data SourcesParticipants were recruited from an urban academic hospital where they had presented to the ED for a mental health or substance use concern, received a post-discharge brief contact intervention, and consented to a follow-up interview.ResultsPatients presented to the emergency department for a variety of mental health and substance use concerns. Four themes were generated: value of human connection and feeling cared for; positive impact on mental health and coping; impact of individual circumstances; and recommendations for future program development.ConclusionTelephone-delivered brief contact interventions were experienced as a supportive, and provided social- and emotional-support for patients to bridge a vulnerable transition period after emergency department discharge. Perceived benefits were greatest for individuals with fewer social or therapeutic supports.Implications for the profession and/or patient careBrief contact interventions can strengthen continuity of care, mitigate feelings of abandonment, and promote patient safety post-discharge. Implementation requires clarity, consistency, and can be done in collaboration with community support services.ImpactFindings can inform emergency department-to-community transitions, particularly for individuals facing isolation. This intervention can maintain communication between patients and nurses/mental health providers.Reporting MethodThis study adhered to the SRQR guidelines for qualitative research.Patient ContributionPatients who received wellness checks contributed as participants, sharing their experiences and recommendations. Their perspectives shaped study themes, interpretation, and implications.