 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Susan S. Gallagher, MPH, Education Development Center, Inc., 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02458, (617) 618-2206, sgallagher@edc.org
Firearm access, especially in the home, is a risk factor for suicide. Two-thirds of patients visit a physician in the month before suicide. No studies examine routine screening and risk assessment for firearm access by mental health professionals. This study aims to assess which psychiatrists screen for firearm access with suicidal patients or their families, determine knowledge, attitudes, and barriers that impact screening, and determine training and resource needs.
A random sample of primarily Massachusetts psychiatrists received a self-administered, 38-item survey, a stamped, self-addressed return envelope, and endorsement letters from two professional associations. Follow-up reminders were mailed at two week intervals. Hypotheses included screening comfort, perceived effectiveness, prior training, experience with firearm suicide, and clinical practice with children and teens. Multivariate analysis determined significant predictors.
Most psychiatrists reported comfort with discussing firearms (85%), while only 37% felt counseling to be effective. Few had prior training assessing firearm access (23%) or experience with a patient suicide by firearm (14%). 49% identified knowledge of resources or interventions as obstacles. Only 25% mentioned time constraints. Factors identified as predictors of screening for firearm access: previous training; primarily treating adolescents; gender; practice years; and comfort with the topic. Respondents were interested in additional training (52%) and printed materials for clinicians (84%).
Psychiatrists report screening for firearm risk assessment – more with suicidal patients (81%) than with their families (58%). Generalizability is limited by unique characteristics of Massachusetts, its firearm policy and a 42% response rate. Predictors need to be confirmed with a national sample, larger sample size and other types of mental health practitioners.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.