Citation

Berntsen GK, Husby R. Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. 1994; 114(20): 2374-2377.

Vernacular Title

Behandling av selvmordsforsokere i et somatisk sykehus. Gis det kun somatisk

Affiliation

Institutt for samfunnsmedisin, Universitetet i Tromsø.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Norske Laegeforening)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7997991

Abstract

The study examined whether patients admitted to a somatic hospital following an attempted suicide were offered psycho-social assessment and care in addition to somatic treatment. The medical records of 81 patients involving a total of 90 admissions following a suicide attempt during a period of one year were scrutinized. 1/3 of the medical records showed no evidence of a talk between the patient and a health professional about the attempted suicide. Patients staying in hospital for less than 24 hours were less likely to have had such a talk than those who stayed longer. No other variable, not even the patients' negative attitude towards hospital care was associated with the talk variable. Without an anamnesis where suicide-related themes are approached the health professional can neither judge the danger of a new suicide attempt nor the need for psycho-social help.

Language: no