Suicide risk screening and assessment practices in a multi-center outcome study following inpatient TBI rehabilitation

Research Objectives: To describe and elucidate suicide risk screening and assessment practices in a multi-center longitudinal TBI clinical research program.

Design: A cross-sectional online survey study.

Setting: NIDILRR and VA PRC TBI Model Systems research centers funded during the 2017-2022 grant cycle.

Participants: Twenty of 24 TBIMS sites participated in completing the survey.

Interventions: none

Main Outcome Measures: A survey developed by the authors which captured descriptive information on suicide risk screenings and procedures.

Results: Common practices include using PHQ-9 item 9 (95%) as a screening measure and having a standardized clinical decision tree (95%) to determine risk. Procedures for elevation include involving a clinician at suicidal intent (90%) or planning (90%), relying on a clinician on the research team (85%) or a clinician on-call (95%) when cases require elevation. Lastly, training data collectors included reviewing the TBIMS protocol (95%) and assessments (60%), and conducting post-interview case reviews (60%). Only 35% receive formal training from their institution.

Conclusions: Overall, centers reported various combinations of suicide risk screening and assessment practices. The results of this study can help inform common local practices and procedures among TBIMS centers, and awareness of resources and protocols for future suicide-related research collaborations.

Author(s) Disclosures: This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of the Defense Health Agency, Department of Defense, or any other U.S. government agency. This work was prepared under Contract HT0014-21-C-0012 with DHA Contracting Office (CO-NCR) HT0014 and, therefore, is defined as U.S. Government work under Title 17 U.S.C.§101. Per Title 17 U.S.C.§105, copyright protection is not available for any work of the U.S. Government. For more information, please contact dha.TBICOEinfo@mail.mil. UNCLASSIFIED