Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Our main objective was to evaluate the demographic, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients aged 0-18 years who needed social service support in a pediatric emergency department. Our secondary aim was to remind the social service practices in emergency services and to describe the patient profile that frequently needed social service support.

METHODS

Patients admitted to the pediatric emergency department between January 2010 and December 2018 were included in this descriptive and retrospective study. Age, gender, nationality, diagnosis at admission, consultations, reasons of social service consultation, problems determined by social service specialist and interventions were recorded via hospital information management system.

RESULTS

Total number of patients consulted to social service during the study was 324. The mean age of the patient group was 11 ± 6 years, 206 (63.6%) were female, 118 (36.4%) were male; 283 (87.3%) were Turk, 41 (12.7%) were Syrian. The most common follow-up reasons were suicide with 133 patients (41%), trauma with 65 patients (20.1%), and substance abuse with 36 patients (11.1%). The most common social service consultation reason was suspected abuse-neglect (87.7%). As a result of social service evaluation, 116 (35.8%) had relationship problems, 73 (22.5%) had behavioral problems, 56 (17.3%) had abuse and/or neglect suspicion, 34 (10.5%) had either patient’s or family's adherence problem, 20 (6.2%) had environmental problems and 5 (1.5%) had legal problems. Only 20 patients (6.2%) had no problem.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In conclusion, social service support was needed the most for the patients who attempted suicide and consultation was requested the most due to suspicion of abuse and neglect. Thus, inclusion of social service specialists in pediatric emergency departments can play a key role in protection and safety of child health.