Accuracy of automatic syndromic classification of coded emergency department diagnoses in identifying mental health-related presentations for public health surveillance

Table 2 Case definitions

Category	Definition
Mental disorders	Mental disorders are defined according to the clinical diagnostic criteria. For this study, a mental disorder is defined as a condition which affects a person’s cognitive, emotional or social abilities and attracts a diagnosis of psychiatric illness.
Mental health problems	This includes, but is not restricted to, such things as, stress, anxiety or depression. Individuals with mental health problems may never meet the diagnostic threshold for a mental disorder.
Inclusions	-A mental disorder or mental health problem is the main reason for the ED visit.
Inclusions	-A mental disorder or mental health problem is a major contributing factor leading to the condition which is the main reason for the ED visit.

A “mental health problem presentation” for the purposes of this study is defined as any ED presentation where either a mental disorder or a mental health problem is the reason for the ED visit.

ISSN: 1472-6947