Examining an Alternate Care Pathway for Mental Health and Addiction Prehospital Emergencies in Ontario, Canada: A Critical Analysis

Petra Meijer (), Polly Ford-Jones, Dustin Carter, Patrina Duhaney, Simon Adam, Danielle Pomeroy and Sheryl Thompson
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Petra Meijer: Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Toronto, ON M9W 5L7, Canada
Polly Ford-Jones: Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Toronto, ON M9W 5L7, Canada
Dustin Carter: Middlesex–London Paramedic Service, London, ON N6E 1R4, Canada
Patrina Duhaney: Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Simon Adam: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Danielle Pomeroy: Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Toronto, ON M9W 5L7, Canada
Sheryl Thompson: Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Toronto, ON M9W 5L7, Canada

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Paramedics in Ontario have largely been limited to transporting those with mental health or addiction (MHA)-related emergencies to the emergency department (ED). The ED has repeatedly been identified as a problematic and challenging setting for people with MHA needs. This article examines an innovative patient care model (PCM) established by the Middlesex–London Paramedic Service and its partners for specific MHA emergencies where patients were given options for care that included transportation to a Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Crisis Centre or information for support. Qualitative and quantitative data that were utilized for regular reporting to the Ministry were included in the analysis. The findings indicated that the goals of reducing pressures on EDs and paramedic services, enhancing paramedics’ ability to address MHA calls, and improving patient care experiences were met. This model improves patient autonomy and options for care, improves the means for addressing patients’ social determinants of health, and offers transportation to a non-medicalized facility.

Keywords: mental health emergency; alternate destination; social determinants of health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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