Implementing routine suicide risk screening for psychiatric outpatients with serious mental disorders: I. Qualitative results.
The objective of this study was to acquire process information, clinician and client feedback during implementation of a routine suicide risk screening program for outpatients with serious mental disorders. We studied implementation of a suicide-screening tool in a large public mental health outpatient facility in New York City. Most clinical staff who provided an opinion indicated screening was useful, feasible and helpful; most clients did not mind screening. Facilitators to program implementation included administrative support and ease of use. Barriers included consent, misperceptions, and concerns regarding potential liability. It is feasible to implement a suicide-screening tool in a public outpatient clinic. However, even experienced clinicians harbor unfounded myths. Effective large scale use will require vigorous training and oversight.
Lang
Michelle
M
Research Foundation for Mental Hygience, Inc., Albany, New York, USA.
Uttaro
Thomas
T
Caine
Eric
E
Carpinello
Sharon
S
Felton
Chip
C
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires