Suicide Classification System

Completed

• Conditions: Suicide and Self-harm
• Interventions: Other: Education

• Registration Number: NCT01118156
• Lead Sponsor: VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a new standardized language for categorizing suicidal and self-injury related thoughts and behaviors can be readily adopted for use by mental health clinicians. Efforts also include developing a measure that can be used to help clinicians identify appropriate terms (e.g., behaviors) for specific patients.

Detailed Description

In recent years, suicide prevention has received increased focus within the VA. This is in part related to concerns regarding the mental health and associated suicide risk of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom military personnel, and a recent study highlighting the increased risk of death by suicide for members of the veteran population. Suicide prevention initiatives could be greatly enhanced if a clinically feasible uniform language regarding suicidality and self-injury was readily available and adopted throughout the VA system. With this goal in mind, the Self-Directed Violence Classification System (SDVCS) and Clinical Tool were developed based upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nomenclature and VA VISN-19 MIRECC's work in this area. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a new standardized language for categorizing suicidal and self-injury related thoughts and behaviors can be readily adopted for use by mental health clinicians. Efforts also include developing a measure that can be used to help clinicians identify appropriate terms (e.g., behaviors) for specific patients.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-10
• Study First Submitted: 2010-05-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-05-04
• Study First Posted: 2010-05-06
• Primary Completion: 2010-09
• Study Completion: 2010-09
• Status Verified: 2011-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2011-05-01
• Last Update Posted: 2011-05-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 74

Inclusion Criteria

• Suicide Prevention Coordinator team members at Denver or Grand Junction VA Medical Center
• Mental Health leadership at Denver or Grand Junction VA Medical Center
• Mental Health professionals at Denver or Grand Junction VA Medical Center

Exclusion Criteria

• Failure to sign appropriate informed consent
• MIRECC staff members

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Mental Health Clinicians	Education	MH Clinicians at the Denver and Grand Junction VA Medical Centers

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Proportion of clinicians utilizing nomenclature	6 months	Clinician chart notes will be reviewed to determine use of standardized nomenclature. Among those clinicians utilizing the nomenclature, accurate use will also be assessed.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Analysis of qualitative focus group data	6 months	Qualitative evaluation of organizational- and provider-level factors associated with implementation

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Grand Junction VA Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Grand Junction, Colorado, United States

Denver VA Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Denver, Colorado, United States