Lethal means restriction for suicide prevention: beliefs and behaviors of emergency department providers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We sought to examine the beliefs and behaviors of emergency department (ED) providers related to preventing suicide by reducing suicidal patients' access to lethal methods (means restriction) and identify characteristics associated with asking patients about firearm access.

Methods

Physicians and nurses at eight EDs completed a confidential, voluntary survey.

Results

The response rate was 79% (n = 631); 57% of respondents were females and 49% were nurses. Less than half believed, "most" or "all" suicides are preventable. More nurses (67%) than physicians (44%) thought "most" or "all" firearm suicide decedents would have died by another method had a firearm been unavailable (P < .001). The proportion of providers who reported they "almost always" ask suicida

SUBMITTER: Betz ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4347862 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature