Testing a Clinician Support System to Help Prevent Suicide Attempts in Emergency Department Patients with Psychiatric Concerns

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a decision support system designed to help emergency department ED clinicians better predict and prevent suicide attempts in patients presenting with psychiatric concerns. The study aims to assess whether providing clinicians with a patients suicide risk score influences their decisions, potentially reducing suicide attempts over a 6-month follow-up period. This project involves enrolling 4,000 adult patients across multiple EDs, including Massachusetts General Hospital and affiliated sites, with a smaller pilot at Cambridge Health Alliance. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups one where clinicians receive a risk score indicating the patients likelihood of attempting suicide within the next month, and a control group where clinicians do not receive this score. The risk score combines electronic health record data and patient self-reports collected during the ED visit. Clinicians in the intervention group may use this information to decide on hospitalizing or discharging patients based on risk level. The pilot study at Cambridge Health Alliance will follow the same approach with 250 participants. Participants will provide consent and complete baseline self-report assessments while in the ED, including contact information and treatment follow-up surveys via email at 1 and 6 months post-visit. Data on suicide attempts will be collected through self-reports and electronic health record review. Researchers will analyze how the decision support tool affects clinician choices and patient outcomes, measuring suicide attempts within 1 and 6 months after the ED visit. The study includes ongoing communication with clinical teams and provides financial incentives for survey completion.

Effectiveness and Implementation of a Clinician Decision Support System to Prevent Suicidal Behaviors