A Qualitative Study Exploring Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives of Electronic Suicide Screening in the Emergency...

Screening for suicide risk at medical encounters is an essential step in suicide prevention. Electronic devices have been used for screening in emergency departments (EDs) for sensitive health topics, including mental health. This study explored adolescent and caregiver perspectives of privacy, autonomy, and honesty when completing suicide screening on an electronic device in the ED.

This was a qualitative study of adolescents and/or their caregiver who completed suicide screening using an electronic modality in the ED between October 2023 and June 2024. Our institution performs screening with the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) for all ED patients aged 10 years and older. We conducted semistructured interviews with adolescents (ages 13 to 17 years) and/or caregivers of patients ages 10 to 17 years who had a "nonacute positive" ASQ. Interviews that occurred after ED discharge were audio-recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was performed to develop themes.

Of 41 eligible adolescents and caregivers approached in the ED, 34 consented, and 17 (8 adolescents; 9 caregivers) completed interviews. The following 4 primary themes emerged: (1) ED suicide screening provides an opportunity for connection and intervention; (2) electronic screening promotes adolescent autonomy; (3) electronic screening improves privacy, but data security concerns may limit adolescent honesty; and (4) optimizing communication before screening may quell existing concerns.

In this study, participants highlighted an opportunity for connection during ED suicide screening. Electronic screening in the ED improved autonomy and privacy, facilitating honest responses. Future work should engage adolescents in identifying ideal communication strategies to engender trust and enhance ED suicide screening practices.