Improving the Assessment and Triage of Patients with Mental Illness ...

Chapter 2
The Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
A literature review is an expression of an individual’s interest in a particular subject
which involves scrutiny of research, policy and other relevant documents. The sources of
information can be material found in books, journals and internet sites. All of these sources
support the relative understanding and views of others on the chosen topic (Randolph, 2009).
The literature review should consider published information of the subject area by recognized
researchers and academics.
The objective of this review is to examine and assess the available literature
pertaining to the assessment and treatment of individuals presenting to the Emergency
Department traditionally known as Accident and Emergency, with mental illness, under the
following broad headings:
• Mental Illness
• Negative attitudes towards mental illness
• A Triage Tool for the Assessment of Mental Illness in the Emergency Department.
Whilst a great deal of literature exists in the field of mental illness and attitudes towards
mental illness, there are relatively few published articles in respect of triage tools used in the
assessment of those presenting with mental illness in this jurisdiction. Indeed, while
conducting a search of the literature from an Irish perspective in relation to triage tools I
failed to discover any relevant material. The bulk of published articles concerning the
development of triage tools for mental illness appear to have been pioneered in the Southern
Hemisphere particularly by Australian and New Zealand researchers.
The literature reviewed as part of this work was obtained primarily from nursing and
medical journals. Articles and/or books were retrieved following a search of the following
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