Excessive use of psychiatric services by suicidal patients.
The use of psychiatric services by patients with a suicidal history was examined to see if they placed a greater long-term burden on these services than other types of patient. Suicidal patients spent significantly more days in hospital and made more outpatient attendances; suicide attemptors in particular not only needed more emergency consultations but also spent more days in hospital. A more economical yet more effective treatment policy for the suicidal patient is needed.
D000437:Alcoholism; D003863:Depression; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008393:Marriage; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders; D013406:Suicide, Attempted