Effective communication in eliciting and responding to suicidal thoughts: a systematic review protocol

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Services Research
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Over 6500 deaths by suicide occur annually in the UK, with many individuals classified as 'low risk' in their final mental health contact.
• Effective identification of suicide risk through sensitive questioning and appropriate response is a critical, yet under-researched, area for healthcare professionals.
• National Health Service (NHS) training priorities emphasize suicide reduction strategies for front-line staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review evidence on effective methods for assessing suicide risk during clinical encounters.
• To identify best practices for responding to suicidal ideation to reduce patient distress and suicidal feelings.
• To inform training and clinical practice for healthcare professionals in suicide prevention.

Main Methods:

• A systematic electronic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases.
• Inclusion of controlled studies focusing on suicidal thoughts/feelings, excluding self-harm without suicidal intent.
• Independent screening of articles by two authors, data extraction using Cochrane Collaboration forms, quality assessment, and risk of bias evaluation. Meta-analysis planned if data permits.

Main Results:

• The review will synthesize evidence on effective questioning techniques for suicide risk assessment.
• It will highlight interventions that reduce patient distress and suicidal ideation during treatment encounters.
• The findings will provide an evidence base for developing targeted training programs.

Conclusions:

• The results will guide the development of training modules for healthcare professionals on suicide risk assessment and management.
• Implementation of evidence-based practices is expected to improve the identification of at-risk individuals and enhance patient care.
• This review aims to contribute to reducing suicide rates by equipping clinicians with effective communication and intervention strategies.