Change in emergency department providers' beliefs and practices after use of new protocols for suicidal patients.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The study examined changes in self-reported attitudes and practices related to suicide risk assessment among providers at emergency departments (EDs) during a three-phase quasi-experimental trial involving implementation of ED protocols for suicidal patients.

Methods

A total of 1,289 of 1,828 (71% response rate) eligible providers at eight EDs completed a voluntary, anonymous survey at baseline, after introduction of universal suicide screening, and after introduction of suicide prevention resources (nurses) and a secondary risk assessment tool (physicians).

Results

Among participants, the median age was 40 years old, 64% were female, and there were no demographic differences across study phases; 68% were nurses, and 32% were attending physicians. Between ph

SUBMITTER: Betz ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4852852 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature