title: Suicidal patients in the ED: ethical issues.
abstract: Emergency physicians frequently are expected to evaluate and develop treatment plans for potentially suicidal patients. The struggle to prevent someone from self-injury while respecting their personal autonomy is frequently present in the ED, as physicians must decide whether to intervene with a patient who does not seek treatment. The implications of this struggle are discussed in the article.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, USA.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Zechnich
mesh_terms: D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000379:methods; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States