A visit to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department following an accident
is often a young person’s first experience of hospital. A&E is a
pressured environment which can be frightening and stressful for young people. This
study reports the views of young people who have had contact with emergency medical
services following a road traffic accident (RTA). Negative experiences were
volunteered more than positive experiences. Concerns were reported around being
physically restricted, receiving inadequate information, feeling that they were not
understood, experiencing physical discomforts and feeling lonely. This article
highlights the need to provide adequately for the younger A&E patient by
supplying information, communicating appropriately and offering an environment that
is more appropriate for young people.
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