In the face of a growing mental health crisis, emergency departments around the world are recognising the urgent need for transformation.  

Considering that one in five (22 per cent) people suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia as a result of war or other conflicts in the previous decade, these once purely physical spaces can no longer turn a blind eye to the silent struggles of those seeking solace from invisible wounds.  

Building a bridge between physical and mental health is the goal of the ongoing effort to improve emergency departments' ability to handle mental health problems. The time when physical illnesses' urgency overshadowed mental health emergencies has long since passed. Medical professionals are paving the way toward specialised training, collaboration, and innovation with a renewed sense of purpose to give those going through a mental health crisis the support and care they so desperately need. 

Related: Reimagining emergency care: from idea to run

According to the definition of ‘health’ by the World Health Organisation (WHO), mental health cannot be separated from the entire human wellbeing. Therefore, the global health workforce needs to collectively work towards enhancing emergency department response to mental health emergencies. This reinforces how vital it is. 

By prioritising mental health, lives can be saved and suffering alleviated. Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, emergency departments can challenge the notion that mental well-being is secondary to physical health. Through responding effectively to mental health emergencies, emergency rooms contribute to reducing the financial burden on healthcare systems, preventing costly interventions, repeat visits, and ensuring that individuals receive ongoing support beyond immediate crises. 

The following tips and strategies can help the emergency response team be better equipped to address mental health emergencies: 

Dedicated mental health team: Consider creating a dedicated mental health team within the emergency department consisting of psychiatrists, paramedics, psychiatric nurses, and social workers. This team can provide specialised expertise in assessing and treating mental health emergencies. An apt instance is in Thunder Bay, Ontario, a program including the police, the hospital, and mental health professionals is succeeding in how it responds to calls about mental health crises. 

Related: Development and innovation in emergency transfusion

Specialised staff training: This is to ensure the emergency room personnel has received specialised instruction in mental health crisis intervention. This involves instruction in de-escalation methods, assessing suicide risk, providing trauma-informed care, and identifying common mental health disorders. 

Collaborative care: The emergency and mental health departments need to form alliances with organisations and individuals in the mental health field to encourage interaction between emergency room workers and mental health specialists. To ensure that patients receive the proper follow-up care, this collaboration will serve to speed up the assessment and referral process. 

Reduced wait times: The management of healthcare facilities need to create plans to reduce the amount of time people in mental health emergencies must wait. Delays in receiving care can worsen suffering and raise the possibility of unfavorable outcomes. The process can be sped up by putting protocols in place for quick triage, assessment, and intervention. 

Peer support programme: Peer support programmes where people who have firsthand experience with mental health issues can offer support and direction to patients who are experiencing a crisis have been found to be immensely impactful. Peer support professionals can help to lessen stigma, provide sympathetic understanding, and offer insightful advice to improve the standard of care. 

Data collection and analysis on emergencies involving mental health in the emergency room: This data can be used to evaluate initiatives' efficacy, spot patterns, and plan for upcoming healthcare delivery changes. 

Continuous learning and quality enhancement: It is important to encourage continual training, inspiring evidence-based modifications to protocols as well as practices and education for emergency department personnel to keep them up to date on best practices and developments in mental health care.  

Enhancing emergency department response to mental health emergencies is a matter of utmost urgency and compassion. By prioritising mental health, breaking down stigma, and implementing comprehensive strategies, emergency departments can become safe havens of support, healing, and hope for individuals in their most vulnerable moments.  

Through collaboration, specialised care, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we can forge a path toward a future where mental health receives the attention and care it deserves. 

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Advancements in digital platforms are powering the transformative change in mental health, giving professional data insights to provide customised care and accessibility to patients.

Artificial Intelligence, alongside data analysis, is giving counsellors, psychologists, therapists, mental health nurses, and even clinical social workers the opportunity to understand individual needs better through real-time statistics and data insights and tailor their treatments. AI can further identify patterns and predict potential mental health issues, which allows early intervention and prevention.

AI-driven chatbots and virtual therapists are also emerging as supplementary tools to support individuals in between therapy sessions. These virtual entities can not only offer coping strategies and resources but also lends an ear as a continuous form of support and emotional resilience.

One of the limitations of traditional mental health approaches is the one-size-fits-all model. Every individual's experience, concerns, and mental health needs are unique, and adopting a personalised approach acknowledges this diversity. Personalised mental health recognises that effective care must be tailored to address specific challenges and complement an individual's strengths.

“Unfortunately, therapy services do not always operate in a way that personalises counselling for different individuals,” Naila Al Moosawi, Founder and Chief Counsellor at AMAL — Counselling for a Better Tomorrow highlighted. Technology aside, she added that the first step is to match a patient with the right therapist by conducting a comprehensive assessment. Overall, this improves the overall experience of personalised treatments.

When conducting comprehensive assessments, factors such as personality and past experiences as well as cultural background are also important to note. Tailored interventions further empower patients to actively engage in their therapeutic journeys, which fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment in their mental well-being.

Related: Integrated care models offer seamless access to health services

Enhanced convenience and accessibility through digital platforms

The advent of digital platforms has further ushered in a new era of convenience and accessibility in mental health care. Virtual therapy and counselling services have broken geographical barriers, allowing individuals from remote areas or with mobility challenges to access support that was previously inaccessible.

Moreover, digital platforms enable clients to engage in therapy from the comfort and privacy of their own homes, reducing the stigma that may have hindered seeking help in traditional settings. Online sessions also offer flexibility in scheduling, accommodating busy lifestyles, and promoting continuity of care for clients facing travel or relocation.

Related: How prioritising mental health support can lead to a better work environment

Technology in holistic care and patient empowerment

Beyond personalised counselling, technology plays a pivotal role in promoting holistic well-being by integrating mental health support into individuals' daily lives. Mobile apps and wearable devices are equipped with tools for meditation, stress management, and mood tracking, encouraging users to engage in self-care practices regularly.

Virtual support groups and online communities provide a space for individuals to connect, share experiences, and find solace in the collective understanding of mental health challenges. These digital platforms create a sense of community and reduce feelings of isolation, fostering a supportive environment for those seeking mental health assistance.

Personalised mental health care, facilitated by technology, empowers individuals to take an active role in their mental well-being. The integration of digital platforms fosters a culture of self-awareness and self-compassion, promoting long-term emotional growth and overall wellness.

As technology continues to evolve, the future of mental health is poised to be even more personalised, accessible, and supportive. By harnessing the potential of technology, mental health professionals can continue to prioritise the individuality of each client, offering tailored solutions that promote lasting well-being and emotional fulfilment.

References available on request.

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Access the must-read eBook on AI here to discover perspectives on its transformative role in the healthcare industry.

Integrated models of care in healthcare systems are characterised by enhanced collaboration and communication between professionals, facilities and support systems to address patient needs and enhance their overall quality of life by providing better outcomes for disease management, diagnosis, and treatment.  

With such models in place, healthcare practitioners, home care professionals, therapists and other medical providers can work together to better understand the needs of the patient and create a comprehensive treatment plan to treat their prevailing conditions. Besides improving access to services, this collaborative approach towards patient care also significantly helps reduce healthcare costs and provides patients with the solutions they need in just a few doctor visits. Information exchange between medical practitioners also helps expedite diagnosis and eliminate the requirement of unnecessary medical tests and exams, further reducing costs to patients and healthcare companies.  

Related: Cloud-based digital solutions streamline MENA healthcare operations

Dr. Malathi A, Group Chief Medical Officer and Group Chief Quality Officer at Aster DM Healthcare, believes that an integrated healthcare system prioritises preventive care that results in healthier consequences for patients and long-term cost savings for employers and providers. She added that having similar models in place allows employers to stand out from their competition, as it accentuates the importance of employee health to the organisation. The “myAster”, for instance, helps patients book appointments and online consultations and gives access to medical records, prescriptions, and scans for both patients and doctors.  

These models of care help recognise and manage complex underlying pathologies and allow for seamless integration between primary care and acute hospital services to manage high-risk patients with complex and chronic health conditions better. It has also been linked to significant reductions in service utilisation by improving case coordination, enhancing system management and assessing and managing caregiver needs.  

Earlier this year, the UAE health authorities, including the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), Department of Health — Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced the successful integration of ‘Riayati’, the National Unified Medical Record (NUMR), ‘Malaffi’, and “Nabidh” platforms. These platforms provide access to significant patient data that allows doctors to make informed decisions regarding their treatment course and allows healthcare companies to develop programmes and initiatives that transform the health of society. The Riayati platform has by far included 1.9 billion medical records for 9.5 million patients, which can be accessed by over 90,000 health service providers in 3,057 medical facilities.  

Related: MEA marks advances in electronic health record systems

According to Dr. Malathi, there is potential for integrated and patient-centred care to improve the timely provision of appropriate care, increase patient attendance, reduce the incidence or potential impact of conflicting clinical advice, decrease cases of unnecessary hospitalisations, and, most importantly, enhance the patient experience.  

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The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is witnessing a surge in demand for healthcare services, prompting governments to invest in state-of-the-art electronic health record systems (EHR).

These systems play a crucial role in providing comprehensive medical documentation that combines crucial patient data, diagnoses, and treatment histories, empowering healthcare professionals with valuable insights for better decision-making and improved patient outcomes.

According to marketresearch.com, the EHR market in MEA is expected to experience substantial growth, with a projected increase from US$183.1 million in 2021 to US$233.7 million by 2028, says Akram Sami Dhaini, Vice President and Marketing Director of Middle East & Africa, Oracle Health.

“With various countries in the region already making significant strides in digital technology adoption, continued progress and successful implementation of EHR systems will depend on collaborative efforts between health regulators, providers, and patients,” he adds.

Enhancing operational and financial sustainability in EHR

In pursuit of improved operational sustainability and cost-effective healthcare delivery, cloud solutions have become indispensable for most healthcare facilities in the MEA region. According to Dhaini, traditional on-premises systems are becoming less common due to their significant upfront capital requirements, ongoing maintenance costs, and difficulty in upgrades, leading to outdated features and processes. Additionally, on-premises systems consume large amounts of power, space, and resources, which could be better utilised to cater to patients and staff needs.

Related: Curb staff burnout with optimised EHR systems

On the other hand, cloud technology offers several advantages, including enhanced IT efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and the ability to easily adopt new features and address evolving business needs. Moreover, cloud solutions offer virtually unlimited scalability, allowing healthcare organisations to expand their capabilities as their patient and staff populations grow.

Pioneering cloud solutions in the healthcare sector

Dhaini says that Oracle offers a unique and integrated portfolio of cloud business applications, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Human Capital Management (HCM), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and healthcare-specific applications like EHRs and patient accounting. “This comprehensive suite of offerings allows Oracle to address multiple challenges effectively and efficiently, setting them apart from vendors that provide only fragmented solutions,” he explains.

He also says that the integration of various cloud solutions enables a common data model, offering greater business insight and intelligence to healthcare organisations. “This empowers clients to be more efficient in staffing, supply management, and treatment decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes. For example, Oracle's workforce management capabilities enable virtual care teams to access real-time EHR data, ensuring clinicians have the latest information on their patients, regardless of whether they are treating them remotely or at the hospital,” adds Dhaini.

Related: Top 3 electronic health record implementation risks and how to manage them

He adds that Oracle is addressing industry challenges holistically by developing a broad portfolio of offerings that span the entire business and healthcare ecosystem. Alongside EHR, Oracle's solutions include human capital management, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, claims processing, and clinical trials, among others. The seamless integration of these solutions provides a unified data model, enabling healthcare providers to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions.

The focus on providing technology allows clinicians to practice at the top of their licenses results in reduced time spent on data entry and more time dedicated to patient care. This integration also fosters a seamless experience for patients, leading to better overall outcomes.

As technology continues to evolve, the future of healthcare in the MEA region looks promising, with EHRs and cloud solutions leading the way toward improved patient outcomes and efficient healthcare delivery.

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