The experience of suicidal, substance‐abusing men with severe personality disorders in the emergency department

Abstract This qualitative study examines the experience of suicidal, substance‐abusing men with severe personality disorders presenting to an emergency department (ED). Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with ED patients ( n = 25), ED physicians ( n = 5), ED nurses ( n = 6), other ED staff ( n = 6) and family physicians (FPs) ( n = 7). Interviews were tape‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and managed using a comprehensive qualitative software program N6. Transcripts were coded using an iterative process and team involvement to capture emergent themes. Negative expectations were found to be held by participants from all perspectives, patients, ED staff and FPs, and these overarching negative expectations appear to interact with prior negative experiences and current negative behaviours to foster negative outcomes from these encounters. The suicidal men, ED staff and FPs offered suggestions, both systemic and within the ED interactions between providers and patients, that could minimize negative outcomes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.