Using a decision support system to prevent suicide attempts in emergency patients
Effectiveness and Implementation of a Clinician Decision Support System to Prevent Suicidal Behaviors
This study tests whether giving doctors special risk scores about patients' chances of attempting suicide can help prevent those attempts in people coming to the emergency room with mental health issues.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 4000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT05671133 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project aims to evaluate a comprehensive strategy for improving the prediction and prevention of suicide attempts among patients presenting to the emergency department with psychiatric concerns. The study will assess the effectiveness of providing clinicians with risk scores related to patient suicidal behavior. It hypothesizes that patients whose clinicians receive these risk scores will experience a lower rate of suicide attempts over a six-month follow-up period, facilitated by improved clinician decision-making. The study will involve a sample of 4,000 patients.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 years or older who present to an emergency psychiatry service.
Not a fit: Patients who are unable to understand study procedures or provide informed consent, such as those with severe cognitive impairments or acute intoxication, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of suicide attempts among at-risk patients in emergency settings.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using decision support systems to improve clinical outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Presentation to emergency psychiatry service Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to understand study procedures and provide informed consent, such as those with gross cognitive impairment (including florid psychosis), intellectual disability, dementia, acute intoxication * Presence of violent or extremely agitated behavior
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Matthew Nock, PhD
- Email: nock@wjh.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-496-4484
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.