Telemedicine-Based Suicide Prevention : Protocol Design

• Main Authors: González-Pinto, Ana M, Gabilondo, A, Iruin, A, Martín, J, Aristegui, E, Roca, R, Sáez, E, Mondragón, M
• Format: Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Morressier 01.01.2017
• DOI: 10.26226/morressier.5d1a037b57558b317a140ae8

Objectives:As history of prior attempts is one of the highest risk factor for commited suicide, the main objective of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of a 12 month follow-up telephone-based intervention at reducing future suicide re-attempts.Background:Suicide is a major health issue worldwide involving nearly 800.000 deaths per year (WHO, 2017 and is the principal cause of external death in the Basque Country resulting in 180 casualties in year 2016 (Eustat, 2017). Preventive interventions have shown efficacy at reducing suicidal behaviour up to a 25-30%, hence they are one of the priorities of Public Health policies and research in this field is being promoted.Materials and Methods:Prospective and non-randomized study will be conducted in Araba University Hospital, Outpatient Public MH Network of Gipuzkoa and Hospital Galdakao, in which 260 patients with a recent suicide attempt will have a 12-month telephone follow-up (5 calls: week 1, month 1, month 3, month 6, month 12) carried out by trained nurses of the patient councelling service. As a control group, another 260 patients will receive Treatment as Usual (TAU). Principal outcomes are as listed: method of re-attempt, number and porcentaje of re-attempts during 12 month follow-up, time to re-attempt, and comitted suicide.Results and Conclusions:One of the biggest risk factor for suicide is history of previous attempts. Therefore, prevention of suicidal behaviour should focus on reducing future re-attempts in at risk patients with previous history of suicidal behaviour. In this study, the efficacy of a 12 month follow-up telemedicine-based intervention at reducing re-attempts is assessed.