Experiences of Care for Adolescents With Mental Health Difficulties in Acute Paediatric Services: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Adolescents with mental health difficulties often attend acute paediatric services. There is a need to establish how well these services address their difficulties. No systematic review of this issue for adolescents aged 12–17 has been published. Aim: To explore perspectives of healthcare professionals, adolescents and families on the provision of care for adolescents with mental health difficulties in acute paediatric services. Design: Mixed methods systematic review. Methods: Authors screened published studies using Covidence for eligibility and extracted data. Findings were synthesised using qualitative convergent synthesis. Studies were critically appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data Sources: Five databases were searched: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase and Web of Science Core Collection from June 2003 to July 2023. Results: Sixteen studies were included. Eleven studies were good quality, three were low quality and two were fair quality. Healthcare professionals' perspectives consisted of two themes: barriers and facilitators of care. Adolescents' perspectives consisted of two themes: perceptions of care and supportive and unsupportive interpersonal interactions. One study explored families' experiences of care. Conclusion: Perspectives of care were similar across various countries and suggest that acute paediatric services do not adequately address mental health difficulties. There is a need for more support and education for healthcare professionals, targeted interventions and further research. Reporting Method: The SWiM guideline was used to ensure a transparent and systematic literature review. No patient or public contribution. Trial Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42023443336 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=443336).