NDIS and the lived experience of presenting to the emergency department for people with a psychosocial disability: A mixed methods study.
Psychosocial disability has been included in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) since its inception, yet many of the fundamental design features of the scheme were developed without reference to the needs of this population. Psychosocial disability is the term used to describe a disability arising from a mental health condition or conditions.
People with a psychosocial disability may at times become unwell and need emergency care. How this affects their NDIS plan and continuity of care is the aim of this research. The research team is currently exploring current practices and to learn what could be improved in this context.
This research project is the first of its kind to provide data from the perspective of people with a psychosocial disability and an NDIS plan when presenting to the emergency department in mental distress, and from the clinicians caring for them.
Who can participate?
This anonymous survey is open for people over 18 years of age who are:
- People with lived experience of psychosocial disability who have presented to the emergency department; and
- Clinicians working in the emergency department.
People with lived experience:
- Do you have a psychosocial disability and an NDIS plan?
- Have you presented to the emergency department in the last two years?
The survey will ask you:
- Brief questions to describe yourself
- About your experience when presenting to the emergency department
- What could be improved
Clinicians working in the emergency department:
- Have you worked in the emergency department in the last two years (including doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers and allied health workers)
- Have you treated or attended to a person who has presented with a mental health issue while you were working in the emergency department of an Australian hospital in the last two years?
The survey will ask you:
- Brief questions to describe yourself
- How you assisted the person/s when they presented to the emergency department
- What communication pathways for continuity of care are available
- What could be improved
Please read the information sheets and if you would like to participate in the survey, it can be accessed from the link.
Further information
- All survey responses will be anonymous and you can withdraw at any time or skip questions if you choose.
- At the end of the survey you can opt in for a prize draw (this will not identify you as it is a separate survey and not connected to the original survey).
- If you would like to speak to someone about the research please contact:
Ms Heather McIntyre: E: Heather.McIntyre@unisa.edu.au; T: 08 8302 1132;
