The management of non-compliance with referral to out-patient after-care among attempted suicide patients: a controlled intervention study.
The failure to comply with referral for out-patient after-care is a well-documented problem among attempted suicide patients. The present study aimed at the investigation of an experimental referral procedure by means of a randomized controlled study. Non-compliant patients in the experimental group were visited in their homes by a community nurse in order to assess reasons for non-compliance and to motivate patients to comply with referral. One year after their suicide attempt patients were visited in their homes in order to assess repetition of suicidal behaviour. Uni- and multi-variate analyses showed a significant beneficial effect of the experimental procedure on compliance with referral. A near-significant effect of the experimental procedure on the rate of repetition of suicidal behaviour was found.
Van Heeringen
C
C
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Gent, Belgium.
Jannes
S
S
Buylaert
W
W
Henderick
H
H
De Bacquer
D
D
Van Remoortel
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012008:Recurrence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted