ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aims to explore how psychiatric residents and nurses experience the conditions of psychiatric emergency services. DESIGN AND METHODS: This qualitative study was carried out using content analysis. Data were collected through unstructured interviews conducted during three focus groups. FINDINGS: The results of the focus groups were classified into the following five categories of issues influencing the staff's experiences: repetitive problems, long wait times, ambiguity, insecurity, and stability. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Improving the staff's communication skills and educating them on how to manage violence, establishing a well-functional system of triage, and optimizing bed management and discharge planning are among several potential strategies that might be considered to improve the quality of care in psychiatric emergency services.
