Adolescents with self-injurious behavior in emergency services: a look at comprehensive care

Abstract

Objective To understand the care provided to adolescents with a history of self-injury from the perspective of healthcare professionals working in emergency services. Method: Qualitative research, anchored in the concept of comprehensive care. Eight healthcare professionals working in emergency services participated, recruited using the snowball technique. Data collection took place between 2021 and 2022, based on semi-structured interviews on virtual platforms, and the data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. Results: Two final topics emerged: 1. Meeting the adolescent who self-injures – related feelings; and 2. Beyond that momentary injury – the organization of practices and services for the care of adolescents who self-injured. Conclusion: There are challenges related to the way of working in these settings and training weaknesses in the areas of mental health and adolescence. Networking is difficult, and care is based on the logic of referral. The concept of comprehensiveness can trigger the organization of actions, services and policies aimed at this phenomenon.