Variation in Patterns of Health Care Before Suicide: A Population Case-Control Study

• 2019

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• Brian Ahmedani; Joslyn Westphal; Kirsti Autio
PMID: 31400374DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ypmed.2019.105796

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This study examined healthcare utilization patterns before suicide compared to the general population in the US. Using data from 8 healthcare systems, researchers analyzed visits across various settings pre-suicide. They found significantly higher healthcare use among those who died by suicide, particularly in inpatient and emergency settings. About 30% had visits within a week of suicide, with over half within 30 days. The study highlights the importance of healthcare systems in suicide prevention strategies, suggesting targeted interventions based on healthcare utilization patterns. Limitations include missing race/ethnicity data and exclusion of uninsured individuals.

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Tags

Focus Area: Violence

Audiences: Behavioral Health Professionals; Physicians; Public Health Professionals

Emergency Management Stages: Mitigation; Preparedness (Prevention / Protection)

Keywords: Case-Control Studies; Inpatients; Mental Health Services; Outpatients; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Primary Health Care; Suicide; Emergency Service, Hospital

Institutions: Henry Ford Health System; Kaiser Permanente Colorado; Kaiser Permanente Hawaii; HealthPartners Institute; Kaiser Permanente Georgia; Georgia State University; Kaiser Permanente; Harvard Medical School; University of Connecticut Health Center; Essentia Health; Kaiser Permanente Washington

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