A Patient-Partnered, Pan-Canadian, Comparative Effectiveness Evaluation of an Acute Pediatric Mental Health and Addiction Care Bundle

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY · May 20, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a special care program designed to help children and teenagers who are facing mental health issues or substance use problems when they visit the emergency department. The goal is to see if this new care package can improve their well-being after 30 days compared to the usual care they would receive. The trial will take place at eight different sites across Canada and is currently recruiting participants aged 8 to 17 years who are experiencing specific mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues.

To participate, children and youth need to have been assessed for one of the mentioned mental health concerns when they come to the emergency department. However, some individuals will not be eligible, such as those who have more serious mental health conditions or who have recently attempted self-harm. Participants in the trial can expect to receive either the new care program or the standard care and will be followed up with after a month to see how they are doing. This study is important because it aims to find better ways to support young people in crisis and improve their overall mental health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 8 to 17.99 years
• 2. Chief triage concern of at least one of the following (or comparable) mental health CEDIS triage categories:
• • 1. Anxiety/situational crisis and/or hyperventilation
• • 2. Bizarre/paranoid behaviour
• • 3. Concern for patient's welfare
• • 4. Depression/suicidal/deliberate self-harm
• • 5. Hallucinations/delusions
• • 6. Violent/homicidal behaviour
• • 7. Insomnia
• • 8. Pediatric disruptive behaviour
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Brought to the ED under provincial mental health legislation
• • 2. Exhibiting features of schizophrenia, schizotypal, delusional disorders, or psychosis (e.g., hallucinations/delusions complaint should be reviewed carefully for this exclusion criterion)
• • 3. Significant self-harm act (i.e., suicide attempt requiring medical clearance, excluding ideation or minor superficial wounds; e.g., laceration/puncture, overdose ingestion, etc.)
• • 4. Other co-morbid medical concerns requiring oversight and/or medical clearance from an emergency physician (e.g., confusion/disorientation, substance withdrawal, other medical complaints, etc.)
• • 5. Substance misuse/intoxication or altered level of consciousness
• • 6. Exhibiting a behavioural syndrome associated with physiologic disturbances (e.g., anorexia)
• Children/youth will also be excluded based on language barriers:
• • 7. Language barrier (i.e., patient and parent/legal guardian must be fluent in either English or French)