A virtual, pilot randomized trial of a brief intervention to prevent suicide in an integrated healthcare setting

Patients who die by suicide are often seen in primary care settings in the weeks leading to their death. There has been little study of brief interventions to prevent suicide in these settings.

We conducted a virtual, pilot, randomized controlled trial of a brief suicide prevention strategy called Veterans Affairs Brief Intervention and Contact Program (VA BIC) in patients who presented to a primary care mental health walk-in clinic for a new mental health intake appointment and were at risk for suicide. Our primary aim was to assess feasibility. We measured our ability to recruit 20 patients. We measured the proportion of enrolled patients who completed all study assessments. We assessed adherence among patients assigned to VA BIC.

Twenty patients were enrolled and 95% (N = 19) completed all study assessments. Among the 10 patients assigned to VA BIC, 90% (N = 9) of patients completed all required intervention visits, and 100% (N = 10) completed ≥70% of the required interventions visits.

It is feasible to conduct a virtual trial of VA BIC in an integrated care setting. Future research should clarify the role of VA BIC as a suicide prevention strategy in integrated care settings using an adequately powered design.

NCT04054947.