Trends in psychiatric emergency visits: insights from France’s largest psychiatric emergency department
Dublin Core
Title
Trends in psychiatric emergency visits: insights from France’s largest psychiatric emergency department
Subject
Psychiatric emergencies, Emergency department, Psychiatric hospitalization, COVID-19, Psychiatric
disorders
disorders
Description
Abstract
Introduction Psychiatric emergency departments (EDs) in France have been under pressure from several factors,
exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to an increase in psychiatric disorders, particularly anxi-
ety and depression, with younger people and women being most affected. The aim of this study was to provide
a comprehensive description of the trends in the number of visits to the largest psychiatric emergency department
in France, with a particular focus on the period preceding and following the advent of COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods This retrospective study analyzed data from 69,764 visits to the Centre Psychiatrique d’Orientation et
d’Accueil (CPOA) in Paris from 2016 to 2023. Patient data, including demographics, reasons for visit, and diagnoses,
were collected and analyzed to identify trends over this period.
Results The study observed a 28.5% increase in ED visits from 2016 to 2023. The increase was primarily driven
by mood and anxiety disorders, which showed increases of 38.6% and 75.4%, respectively. The average age
of patients decreased, reflecting a younger population increasingly affected by psychiatric problems. Interestingly,
despite the increase in ED visits, hospital admissions decreased by 11.9%, with a notable decrease in involuntary
commitment.
Discussion The findings highlight a paradox where increased psychiatric ED visits are not accompanied
by an increase in hospital admissions. This suggests a shift toward outpatient care due to systemic factors, includ-
ing reduced hospital bed availability and challenges in accessing timely outpatient services. This study underscores
the need to strengthen outpatient mental health services to effectively manage the growing demand. Further
research, especially multicenter studies, is recommended to validate these findings and inform policy changes.
Keywords Psychiatric emergencies, Emergency department, Psychiatric hospitalization, COVID-19, Psychiatric
disorders
Introduction Psychiatric emergency departments (EDs) in France have been under pressure from several factors,
exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to an increase in psychiatric disorders, particularly anxi-
ety and depression, with younger people and women being most affected. The aim of this study was to provide
a comprehensive description of the trends in the number of visits to the largest psychiatric emergency department
in France, with a particular focus on the period preceding and following the advent of COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods This retrospective study analyzed data from 69,764 visits to the Centre Psychiatrique d’Orientation et
d’Accueil (CPOA) in Paris from 2016 to 2023. Patient data, including demographics, reasons for visit, and diagnoses,
were collected and analyzed to identify trends over this period.
Results The study observed a 28.5% increase in ED visits from 2016 to 2023. The increase was primarily driven
by mood and anxiety disorders, which showed increases of 38.6% and 75.4%, respectively. The average age
of patients decreased, reflecting a younger population increasingly affected by psychiatric problems. Interestingly,
despite the increase in ED visits, hospital admissions decreased by 11.9%, with a notable decrease in involuntary
commitment.
Discussion The findings highlight a paradox where increased psychiatric ED visits are not accompanied
by an increase in hospital admissions. This suggests a shift toward outpatient care due to systemic factors, includ-
ing reduced hospital bed availability and challenges in accessing timely outpatient services. This study underscores
the need to strengthen outpatient mental health services to effectively manage the growing demand. Further
research, especially multicenter studies, is recommended to validate these findings and inform policy changes.
Keywords Psychiatric emergencies, Emergency department, Psychiatric hospitalization, COVID-19, Psychiatric
disorders
Creator
Marine Ambar Akkaoui1,2*, David Barruel3
, Valérie Dauriac‐Le Masson3
, Raphael Gourevitch1 and
Alexandra Pham‐Scottez1,4
, Valérie Dauriac‐Le Masson3
, Raphael Gourevitch1 and
Alexandra Pham‐Scottez1,4
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00810-w
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Marine Ambar Akkaoui1,2*, David Barruel3
, Valérie Dauriac‐Le Masson3
, Raphael Gourevitch1 and
Alexandra Pham‐Scottez1,4, “Trends in psychiatric emergency visits: insights from France’s largest psychiatric emergency department,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12625.