Background & Scope
Emergency psychiatry is a subspecialty of psychiatry that focuses on the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of mental health disorders in individuals having an acute psychiatric crisis. This can include those experiencing a psychotic episode, suicidal ideation, substance abuse or any other mental health emergency. Emergency psychiatrists work in a range of settings, from emergency rooms to inpatient units. They provide medical advice, assessment, and intervention to patients experiencing a mental health crisis.
Emergency psychiatrists provide immediate assessment of mental health crises, stabilization of acute mental health problems, and referral for further treatment. These services are provided in emergency rooms, inpatient units and psychiatric outpatient clinics. Emergency psychiatrists must be able to quickly assess a patient’s condition and determine the best course of action. This includes providing medication, talking therapy, arranging hospitalization, or directing the patient to other appropriate treatments.
Emergency psychiatrists must have excellent communication skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure as they manage potentially dangerous situations. They must also possess excellent clinical judgment and be familiar with all aspects of psychopharmacology and psychological interventions to help ensure that those facing an emergency receive proper care.
Qualifications, Training, and Certifications
EmergenCy psychiatrists must complete an accredited four-year psychiatric residency program and may also have completed a fellowship in emergency psychiatry.
Conditions, Diseases, Treatments, and Procedures
Emergency psychiatrists provide immediate assessment of mental health crises, stabilization of acute mental health problems, and referral for further treatment.
Emergency psychiatry include a wide range of mental health conditions, such as psychotic disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. Emergency psychiatrists also provide assessments and interventions for patients who have experienced trauma, or homicidal or suicidal ideation.
Treatment for these conditions may include medication, psychotherapy, or other forms of psychosocial interventions. Emergency psychiatrists may also provide crisis intervention services, such as arranging hospitalization or arranging for the patient to receive further treatment. Involuntary commitment also falls within emergency psychiatry.
In addition to diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, emergency psychiatry encompasses the treatment of physical injuries and medical conditions related to mental illness. This can include providing medical care for patients who have attempted suicide or self-harm, providing medical care to those experiencing substance withdrawal or intoxication, or providing medical care to those with medical conditions that have been exacerbated by psychiatric symptoms.
Related Medical Specialties
Again emergency psychiatry is a specialized field of psychiatry that focuses on the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of mental health disorders in individuals who are having an acute psychiatric crisis. This subspecialty requires collaboration with other medical specialties in order to provide comprehensive care for those experiencing a mental health emergency.
The related medical specialties to emergency psychiatry include emergency medicine and neurology. Emergency medicine physicians are often the first to assess a patient in an emergency room setting and provide medical treatments for physical injuries or medical conditions that may be associated with the mental health crisis. Neurologists provide assessments and treatments for neurologic conditions that can accompany psychiatric emergencies, such as seizures or delirium.
In addition to these medical specialties, emergency psychiatrists often collaborate with social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals to provide comprehensive care for patients in distress. These professionals may provide psychotherapy, case management services, or other forms of psychosocial interventions for those experiencing a mental health crisis.
Medical-Legal Cases Involving Emergency Psychiatry
Medical-legal cases involving emergency psychiatry involve the assessment and treatment of individuals who are facing a mental health crisis. These cases may involve issues such as patient rights, medical malpractice, and the legal implications of psychiatric treatments or confinement.
An example would be an allegation that a patient was erroneously involuntarily committed to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Each state has prescribed guidelines that must be followed for such action. Another case would involve the failure to evaluate, hold, or treat a patient who then went on to kill or injure either themself or another.