2023 14th Annual NUBE Conference

This systematic review aims to summarize the current state of research literature on disparities in the care of youth with agitation and aggression in the Emergency Department (ED), including referral, assessment, diagnosis, use of pharmacologic interventions, and utilization of restraint and seclusion. Method: This study used the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 checklist searching PubMed and PsycINFO databases (May 1, 2013-May 5, 2023) for studies that reported disparities in the care of youth with agitation or aggression in the Pediatric ED.Results: Disparities in the care of youth with agitation or aggression in the ED have been documented for race, sex, age, developmental status, and insurance status. There is no data on disparities in ED-based care of youth with agitation or aggression based on gender identity and/or presentation, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status (SES), systems-involvement (including child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice), or language proficiency. Conclusions: While there is some data on disparities in the care of youth with agitation or aggression the ED documented for race, sex, age, developmental status, and insurance status, further work in this area is needed. Actionable steps to address mental health disparities in the pediatric ED are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will understand the current state of research literature on disparities in the care of youth with agitation or aggression in the Emergency Department.
2. Participants will learn there are documented disparities in the care of youth with agitation or aggression in the ED based on race, sex, age, developmental status, and insurance status.
3. There is no data on disparities in ED-based care of youth with agitation or aggression based on gender identity and/or presentation, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, systems-involvement (child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice).