title: Perspectives of Health Care Providers Regarding Emergency Department Care of Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: This study aimed to characterize the perspectives of health professionals who care for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the emergency department (ED) and to determine what strategies could optimize care. Ten physicians and twelve nurses were interviewed individually. Questions related to experiences, processes, clinical decision-making and outcomes of children with ASD recently seen in the ED. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a qualitative framework. Participants identified factors that facilitated effective care, including communication strategies, parental involvement and teamwork. Barriers identified included child characteristics, the ED environment, and competing demands. Recommendations included additional staff training and stakeholder engagement. However, making accommodations was often described as being at odds with how the ED functioned, with implications for future service planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. lonnie.zwaigenbaum@albertahealthservices.ca.|Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, 209 GE, 10230 - 111 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T5G 0B7, Canada. lonnie.zwaigenbaum@albertahealthservices.ca.
authors.forename: Lonnie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zwaigenbaum
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary (Edmonton Division), Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Muskat
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary (Edmonton Division), Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kilmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Savithiri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ratnapalan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Justine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen-Silver
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greenblatt
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Autism; Emergency care; Grounded theory; Health care provider; Pediatrics