@article{ref1,
title="The effectiveness of suicide prevention delivered by GPs: A systematic review and meta-analysis",
journal="Journal of affective disorders",
year="2016",
author="Milner, Allison and Witt, Katrina and Pirkis, Jane and Hetrick, Sarah and Robinson, Jo and Currier, Dianne and Spittal, Matthew J. and Page, Andrew and Carter, Gregory L.",
volume="210",
number="",
pages="294-302",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The aim of this review was to assess whether suicide prevention provided in the primary health care setting and delivered by GPs results in fewer suicide deaths, episodes of self-harm, attempts and lower frequency of thoughts about suicide. <br><br>METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using PRIMSA guidelines. Eligible studies: 1) evaluated an intervention provided by GPs; 2) assessed suicide, self-harm, attempted suicide or suicide ideation as outcomes, and; 3) used a quasi-experimental observational or trial design. Study specific effect sizes were combined using the random effects meta-analysis, with effects transformed into relative risk (RR). <br><br>RESULTS: We extracted data from 14 studies for quantitative meta-analysis. The RR for suicide death in quasi-experimental observational studies comparing an intervention region against another region acting as a &quot;control&quot; was 1.26 (95% CI 0.58, 2.74). When suicide in the intervention region was compared before and after the GP program, the RR was 0.78 (95% CI 0.62, 0.97). There was no evidence of a treatment effect for GP training on rates of suicide death in one cRCT (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.79, 1.45). There was no evidence of effect for the most other outcomes studied. LIMITATIONS: All of the studies included in this review are likely to have a high level of bias. It is also possible that we excluded or missed relevant studies in our review process CONCLUSIONS: Interventions have produced equivocal results, which varied by study design and outcome. Given these results, we cannot recommend the roll out of GP suicide prevention initiatives.<br><br>Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-0327",
doi="10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.035",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.035"
}