Psychiatric Emergencies and Their Characteristics Presenting to Prehospital Emergency Medical Services Between 2018 and 2023: The Case of Türkiye

Authors : Yeter Çuvadar Baş, Ayşegül Akdoğmuş

Pages : 74-81

Doi:10.54996/anatolianjem.1592912

View : 65 | Download : 42

Publication Date : 2025-06-26

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: Psychiatric disorders are characterized by significant impairments in cognition, emotion, and behavior, with a global prevalence of 29.2%. While these disorders are widespread, they are also commonly encountered as pre-hospital emergencies. The increase in psychiatric emergency admissions has surpassed the general trend in demand for emergency healthcare services. This study aims to identify the frequency and characteristics of psychiatric emergency calls received by the Anatolian Side Command and Control Center in Istanbul and to provide recommendations for improving pre-hospital emergency healthcare services. Material and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from patients who received emergency services for emergent psychiatric conditions between 2018 and 2023. The data were collected from the \\\"Emergency Health Automation System\\\" (ASOS) and evaluated based on sociodemographic variables. Results: Ambulance calls steadily increased from 2018 to 2021, followed by a decline in 2022 and 2023. Psychiatric emergencies were at their lowest in 2020 but rose again in 2021 and 2022. The majority of psychiatric emergencies consisted of acute behavioral disturbances and suicide attempts. Female cases accounted for 61.5% of the total, and the age group of 18-65 was the most frequently affected. Conclusion: There has been a notable increase in psychiatric emergency cases within pre-hospital healthcare services. While most cases were classified as low urgency, the findings highlight the need for improved service delivery and increased awareness among healthcare personnel regarding psychiatric emergencies. Although most of the cases were classified as low priority, the findings suggest that healthcare personnel working in the prehospital setting should be more thoroughly informed and trained regarding the approach to psychiatric emergencies and the provision of care.
Keywords : Hastane öncesi, psikiyatrik acil, paramedik, ambulans çağrıları

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