Background: Internationally, the demand for timely and effective emergency department (ED) health care is increasing. Subsumed within this growing demand are people brought in by police (BIBP). People BIBP are vulnerable, often requiring complex care due to the prevalence and interplay between co-existing physical and psychological morbidities. Yet, there is a paucity of evidence surrounding the delivery of health care to people BIBP to EDs, which limits the design and implementation of targeted interventions that support optimal patient outcomes.

Aim: The overarching aim of this PhD research was to describe and understand the characteristics, outcomes and care delivery for people BIBP to the ED. [...]