Detecting Risk And Preventing Suicide Among Depressed Patients In Primary Care

Main Category: Depression
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 07 Dec 2005 - 4:00 PDT

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A pair of studies examines suicidal ideation among depressed patients. In an assessment of 405 patients with uncomplicated depression, Schulberg and colleagues find a low risk of suicide, which remains fairly stable through six months of follow-up.

A randomized study by Nutting and colleagues shows brief training of primary care clinicians to improve depression care can double the rate of initial detection of suicidal ideation.

Suicidal Ideation and Risk Levels Among Primary Care Patients with Uncomplicated Depression
By Herbert C. Schulberg, Ph.D., M.S.Hyg., et al

Improving Detection of Suicidal Ideation Among Depressed Patients in Primary Care
By Paul A. Nutting, M.D., M.S.P.H., et al

Annals of Family Medicine is a peer-reviewed research journal that provides a cross-disciplinary forum for new, evidence-based information affecting the primary care discipline. Launched in May 2003, the journal is sponsored by six family medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Board of Family Medicine, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors and the North American Primary Care Research Group. Annals is published six times each year and contains original research from the clinical, biomedical, social and health services areas, as well as contributions on methodology and theory, selected reviews, essays and editorials. A board of directors with representatives from each of the sponsoring organizations oversees Annals. Complete editorial content and interactive discussion groups for each published article can be accessed free of charge on the journal's Web site, http://www.annfammed.org.

Angela Sharma
asharma@aafp.org
American Academy of Family Physicians
Nov/Dec 2005 Annals of Family Medicine
http://www.aafp.org

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