1
|
Richards JA, Kuo E, Stewart C, Shulman L, Parrish R, Whiteside U, Boggs JM, Simon GE, Rowhani-Rahbar A, Betz ME. Reducing Firearm Access for Suicide Prevention: Implementation Evaluation of the Web-Based "Lock to Live" Decision Aid in Routine Health Care Encounters. JMIR Med Inform 2024; 12:e48007. [PMID: 38647319 PMCID: PMC11063417 DOI: 10.2196/48007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background "Lock to Live" (L2L) is a novel web-based decision aid for helping people at risk of suicide reduce access to firearms. Researchers have demonstrated that L2L is feasible to use and acceptable to patients, but little is known about how to implement L2L during web-based mental health care and in-person contact with clinicians. Objective The goal of this project was to support the implementation and evaluation of L2L during routine primary care and mental health specialty web-based and in-person encounters. Methods The L2L implementation and evaluation took place at Kaiser Permanente Washington (KPWA)-a large, regional, nonprofit health care system. Three dimensions from the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) model-Reach, Adoption, and Implementation-were selected to inform and evaluate the implementation of L2L at KPWA (January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021). Electronic health record (EHR) data were used to purposefully recruit adult patients, including firearm owners and patients reporting suicidality, to participate in semistructured interviews. Interview themes were used to facilitate L2L implementation and inform subsequent semistructured interviews with clinicians responsible for suicide risk mitigation. Audio-recorded interviews were conducted via the web, transcribed, and coded, using a rapid qualitative inquiry approach. A descriptive analysis of EHR data was performed to summarize L2L reach and adoption among patients identified at high risk of suicide. Results The initial implementation consisted of updates for clinicians to add a URL and QR code referencing L2L to the safety planning EHR templates. Recommendations about introducing L2L were subsequently derived from the thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with patients (n=36), which included (1) "have an open conversation," (2) "validate their situation," (3) "share what to expect," (4) "make it accessible and memorable," and (5) "walk through the tool." Clinicians' interviews (n=30) showed a strong preference to have L2L included by default in the EHR-based safety planning template (in contrast to adding it manually). During the 2-year observation period, 2739 patients reported prior-month suicide attempt planning or intent and had a documented safety plan during the study period, including 745 (27.2%) who also received L2L. Over four 6-month subperiods of the observation period, L2L adoption rates increased substantially from 2% to 29% among primary care clinicians and from <1% to 48% among mental health clinicians. Conclusions Understanding the value of L2L from users' perspectives was essential for facilitating implementation and increasing patient reach and clinician adoption. Incorporating L2L into the existing system-level, EHR-based safety plan template reduced the effort to use L2L and was likely the most impactful implementation strategy. As rising suicide rates galvanize the urgency of prevention, the findings from this project, including L2L implementation tools and strategies, will support efforts to promote safety for suicide prevention in health care nationwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Angerhofer Richards
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Elena Kuo
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Christine Stewart
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Lisa Shulman
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Rebecca Parrish
- Department of Mental Health & Wellness, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ursula Whiteside
- NowMattersNow.org, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jennifer M Boggs
- Kaiser Permanente Colorado Institute for Health Research, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Gregory E Simon
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Mental Health & Wellness, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ali Rowhani-Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Marian E Betz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Simonetti JA, Holliday R, Mignogna J, Thomas S, Smith A, Betz M, Brenner LA, Sayre G. Patients' Perspectives on Medication-Related Suicide Prevention Interventions Delivered in Emergency Settings. Psychiatr Serv 2024; 75:275-282. [PMID: 37933134 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20230178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Encouraging patients at risk for suicide to reduce access to potentially lethal medications and drugs is a key component of evidence-based suicide prevention. However, little research has been done to inform interventions for reducing intentional self-harm. METHODS Semistructured interviews were conducted with 28 U.S. veterans who sought emergency care from the Veterans Health Administration between 2021 and 2023 to explore veterans' perspectives on medication-related interventions, including opinions on intervention components (e.g., medication return envelopes). Matrix analysis was used to aggregate data into categories, which were predefined by using constructs from the health belief model (e.g., perceived benefits). RESULTS The participating veterans generally endorsed interventions as acceptable and were particularly supportive of distributing medication return envelopes. However, they often conceptualized these efforts as steps to prevent unintentional overdose or theft-not necessarily to prevent suicide-and rarely indicated that such interventions were appropriate for themselves. Across the interviews, participants identified important facilitators to care, such as ensuring that interventions were convenient and accounted for the perceived cost of disposing medications. Perspectives on engaging family or friends in interventions were mixed. The importance of the interventions was more readily acknowledged among participants with previous opioid use exposure-perspectives that appeared to stem from lived experiences. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes important foundational knowledge that can be used to inform research and clinical initiatives aimed at preventing medication- and drug-related suicides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Simonetti
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Holliday, Mignogna, Thomas, Smith, Brenner); Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Sayre); Departments of Psychiatry (Holliday), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Mignogna, Brenner), and Emergency Medicine (Betz), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora; VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora (Betz); Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle (Sayre)
| | - Ryan Holliday
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Holliday, Mignogna, Thomas, Smith, Brenner); Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Sayre); Departments of Psychiatry (Holliday), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Mignogna, Brenner), and Emergency Medicine (Betz), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora; VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora (Betz); Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle (Sayre)
| | - Joseph Mignogna
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Holliday, Mignogna, Thomas, Smith, Brenner); Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Sayre); Departments of Psychiatry (Holliday), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Mignogna, Brenner), and Emergency Medicine (Betz), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora; VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora (Betz); Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle (Sayre)
| | - Suzanne Thomas
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Holliday, Mignogna, Thomas, Smith, Brenner); Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Sayre); Departments of Psychiatry (Holliday), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Mignogna, Brenner), and Emergency Medicine (Betz), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora; VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora (Betz); Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle (Sayre)
| | - Alexandra Smith
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Holliday, Mignogna, Thomas, Smith, Brenner); Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Sayre); Departments of Psychiatry (Holliday), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Mignogna, Brenner), and Emergency Medicine (Betz), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora; VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora (Betz); Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle (Sayre)
| | - Marian Betz
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Holliday, Mignogna, Thomas, Smith, Brenner); Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Sayre); Departments of Psychiatry (Holliday), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Mignogna, Brenner), and Emergency Medicine (Betz), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora; VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora (Betz); Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle (Sayre)
| | - Lisa A Brenner
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Holliday, Mignogna, Thomas, Smith, Brenner); Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Sayre); Departments of Psychiatry (Holliday), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Mignogna, Brenner), and Emergency Medicine (Betz), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora; VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora (Betz); Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle (Sayre)
| | - George Sayre
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Holliday, Mignogna, Thomas, Smith, Brenner); Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Aurora, Colorado (Simonetti, Sayre); Departments of Psychiatry (Holliday), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Mignogna, Brenner), and Emergency Medicine (Betz), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora; VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora (Betz); Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle (Sayre)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Khazanov GK, Keddem S, Hoskins K, Wortzel HS, Simonetti JA. Increasing the Acceptability of Lethal Means Safety Counseling for Firearms: Tips and Scripts. J Psychiatr Pract 2024; 30:139-146. [PMID: 38526402 DOI: 10.1097/pra.0000000000000773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
In lethal means safety counseling (LMSC), clinicians encourage patients to limit their access to common and lethal means of suicide, especially firearms. However, previous studies have shown that clinicians may hesitate to deliver this evidence-based intervention, in part because of concerns that patients might not find such discussions acceptable. Based on a published review of 18 qualitative studies examining diverse perspectives on LMSC, we discuss strategies that may help clinicians increase the acceptability of LMSC among their patients and present supporting scripts, rationales, and resources. The studies included in the review examined the perspectives of clinicians, patients, firearm owners, and other relevant groups across a wide range of clinical settings on LMSC for firearms. The authors of these studies recommend that clinicians approach LMSC in a nonjudgmental manner with awareness of their own biases, demonstrate cultural competency by acknowledging the role of firearms in patients' lives, and adapt LMSC to patients' previous experiences with firearms, safety, and injury. Clinicians may also want to contextualize and provide a rationale for LMSC, decide whether or not to directly ask about access to firearms, and recommend a range of storage options tailored to the patient. Free locking devices or discount coupons for purchasing such devices may increase the acceptability and efficacy of these discussions. The strategies recommended in this paper are the first to be based on a comprehensive set of relevant studies. Future research is needed to examine whether these strategies do in fact increase the acceptability of LMSC and promote other outcomes such as increased feasibility and efficacy.
Collapse
|
4
|
Polzer ER, Holliday R, Rohs CM, Thomas SM, Miller CN, Simonetti JA, Brenner LA, Monteith LL. Women Veterans' perspectives, experiences, and preferences for firearm lethal means counseling discussions. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295042. [PMID: 38055694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Firearms have become an increasingly common method of suicide among women Veterans, yet this population has rarely been a focus in firearm suicide prevention research. Limited knowledge is available regarding the preferences, experiences, or needs of women Veterans with respect to firearm lethal means counseling (LMC), an evidence-based suicide prevention strategy. Understanding is necessary to optimize delivery for this population. METHOD Our sample included forty women Veterans with lifetime suicidal ideation or suicide attempt(s) and firearm access following military separation, all enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration. Participants were interviewed regarding their perspectives, experiences, and preferences for firearm LMC. Data were analyzed using a mixed inductive-deductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Women Veterans' firearm and firearm LMC perspectives were shaped by their military service histories and identity, military sexual trauma, spouses/partners, children, rurality, and experiences with suicidal ideation and attempts. Half reported they had not engaged in firearm LMC previously. For those who had, positive aspects included a trusting, caring relationship, direct communication of rationale for questions, and discussion of exceptions to confidentiality. Negative aspects included conversations that felt impersonal, not sufficiently comprehensive, and Veterans' fears regarding implications of disclosure, which impeded conversations. Women Veterans' preferences for future firearm LMC encompassed providers communicating why such conversations are important, how they should be framed (e.g., around safety and genuine concern), what they should entail (e.g., discussing concerns regarding disclosure), whom should initiate (e.g., trusted caring provider) and where they should occur (e.g., safe spaces, women-specific groups comprised of peers). DISCUSSION This study is the first to examine women Veterans' experiences with, and preferences for, firearm LMC. Detailed inquiry of the nuances of how, where, why, and by whom firearms are stored and used may help to facilitate firearm LMC with women Veterans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evan R Polzer
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Ryan Holliday
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States of America
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Carly M Rohs
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Suzanne M Thomas
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Christin N Miller
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Joseph A Simonetti
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Lisa A Brenner
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Lindsey L Monteith
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States of America
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Salhi C, Beatriz E, Berrigan J, Azrael D, Houston A, Runyan C, Barber C, Betz M, Miller M. "Your son needs help … and we're gonna help him": A qualitative study of the experiences of gun-owning caregivers of adolescents receiving lethal means counseling in the emergency department. Soc Sci Med 2023; 335:116218. [PMID: 37738913 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Suicide attempts in adolescents are often transient and unpredictable, making preventative approaches crucial in reducing suicide deaths. One important approach is lethal means counseling (LMC), in which clinicians counsel caregivers to reduce access to methods used in suicide, specifically firearms and medications. Research on LMC has increasingly encouraged the use of the shared decision-making (SDM) model, which emphasizes information exchange, collaborative deliberation, and joint planning between caregivers and clinicians. We examine caregivers' experiences with LMC, using the SDM model as our analytic framework. We conducted qualitative interviews with 21 firearm-owning caregivers of adolescents who came to emergency departments (EDs) in Colorado for a behavioral health complaint. The implementation of LMC at these institutions had three central components: training for clinicians, materials (e.g., lockboxes and pamphlets) to support LMC, and the protocolization of LMC at the institution. Our semi-structured, hour-long interviews examined participants' reflections on and reactions to LMC provided in the ED and how that related to changes in their understanding of their medication and gun storage practices. We analyzed interviews using a phenomenological approach, focusing on experiences with LMC and informed by the tenets of the SDM model. Our analysis revealed that caregivers were receptive to the idea of LMC in the pediatric emergency care setting. Caregivers' engagement in LMC was reinforced by experiences with clinicians who sought to understand the circumstances of their household, shared the motivation behind LMC, and facilitated conversation around a shared concern for the child's safety. In contrast, counseling delivered mechanically and without considering the household context was tied to caregivers' confusion and alienation, both for LMC and their consideration of changes to home storage practices. These findings provide insight into adolescent caregivers' experiences with LMC implemented in EDs and how LMC may best be approached.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmel Salhi
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Institute of Health Equity and Social Justice Research, Northeastern University, Boston, USA.
| | | | - John Berrigan
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA; Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Deb Azrael
- Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ashley Houston
- Institute of Health Equity and Social Justice Research, Northeastern University, Boston, USA.
| | - Carol Runyan
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Catherine Barber
- Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Marian Betz
- Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Matthew Miller
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hoops K, Nestadt PS, Dredze M. The case for social media standards on suicide. Lancet Psychiatry 2023; 10:662-664. [PMID: 37453437 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(23)00222-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Hoops
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| | - Paul S Nestadt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Mark Dredze
- Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aunon FM, Azrael D, Simonetti JA, Miller M. Beliefs Among Veteran Firearm Owners Regarding Whether Clinicians Should Discuss Firearm Safety With Patients. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2321219. [PMID: 37382951 PMCID: PMC10311384 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.21219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Veterans are at increased risk of suicide, and guidelines recommend assessing firearm access and counseling to reduce access among patients with elevated suicide risk. How veterans view such discussions is critical to the effectiveness of these interactions. Objective To assess whether veteran firearm owners believe clinicians should deliver firearm counseling when patients or their family members are being cared for in specific clinical contexts that suggest heightened risk of firearm injury. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study, data were from a probability-based online survey of self-identified veterans who reported owning at least 1 firearm (National Firearms Survey, July 1 to August 31, 2019) and were weighted to generate nationally representative estimates. Data were analyzed from June 2022 to March 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Participants were asked, "As part of routine care, should physicians and/or other health care professionals talk with their patients about firearms and firearm safety if their patient or their patient's family member (is at risk of suicide; has mental health or behavioral problems; is abusing or addicted to alcohol or drugs; is a victim of domestic violence; has Alzheimer's disease or another dementia; or is going through a hard time)." Response options included "No," "Yes, sometimes," and "Yes, always." In addition, responses were dichotomized as "Yes, at least sometimes" and "No." Results Of 4030 adults who completed the survey (65% completion rate), 678 (mean [SD] age, 64.7 [13.1] years; 638 [92.9%] male) identified as veteran firearm owners. Across the 6 clinical contexts, support for clinicians "at least sometimes" discussing firearm safety as part of routine care ranged from 73.4% (95% CI, 69.1%-77.3%) when someone is "going through a hard time" to 88.2% (95% CI, 84.8%-90.9%) when someone has "mental health or behavioral problems." When a patient or family member is at risk for suicide, 79.4% (95% CI, 75.5%-82.8%) of veteran firearm owners responded that clinicians should "at least sometimes" discuss firearms and firearm safety. Conclusions and Relevance This study's findings suggest that most veteran firearm owners believe that clinicians should provide firearm counseling during routine care when a patient or family member is at heightened risk of firearm injury. These findings belie concerns that discussing firearm access with veteran firearm owners is an unacceptable practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frances M. Aunon
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Deborah Azrael
- Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph A. Simonetti
- Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora
- Division of Hospital Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Matthew Miller
- Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Richards JE, Kuo ES, Whiteside U, Shulman L, Betz ME, Parrish R, Boggs JM, Rowhani-Rahbar A, Simon GE. Patient and Clinician Perspectives of a Standardized Question About Firearm Access to Support Suicide Prevention: A Qualitative Study. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2022; 3:e224252. [PMID: 36416815 PMCID: PMC9685488 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.4252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance US residents report broad access to firearms, which are the most common means of suicide death in the US. Standardized firearm access questions during routine health care encounters are uncommon despite potential benefits for suicide prevention. Objective To explore patient and clinician experiences with a standard question about firearm access on a self-administered mental health questionnaire routinely used prior to primary care and mental health specialty encounters. Design, Setting, and Participants Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted from November 18, 2019, to October 8, 2020, at Kaiser Permanente Washington, a large integrated care delivery system and insurance provider. Electronic health record data identified adult patients with a documented mental health diagnosis who had received a standard question about firearm access ("Do you have access to guns? yes/no") within the prior 2 weeks. A stratified sampling distribution selected 30% who answered "yes," 30% who answered "no," and 40% who left the question blank. Two groups of clinicians responsible for safety planning with patients at risk of suicide were also sampled: (1) licensed clinical social workers (LICSWs) in primary and urgent care settings and (2) consulting nurses (RNs). Main Outcomes and Measures Participants completed semistructured telephone interviews, which were recorded and transcribed. Directive (deductive) and conventional (inductive) content analyses were used to apply knowledge from prior research and describe new information. Thematic analysis was used to organize key content, and triangulation was used to describe the intersections between patient and clinician perspectives. Results Thirty-six patients were interviewed (of 76 sampled; mean [SD] age, 47.3 [17.9] years; 19 [53%] were male; 27 [75%] were White; 3 [8%] were Black; and 1 [3%] was Latinx or Hispanic. Sixteen participants had reported firearm access and 15 had reported thoughts of self-harm on the questionnaire used for sampling. Thirty clinicians were interviewed (of 51 sampled) (mean [SD] age, 44.3 [12.1] years; 24 [80%] were female; 18 [60%] were White; 5 [17%] were Asian or Pacific Islander; and 4 [13%] were Latinx or Hispanic) including 25 LICSWs and 5 RNs. Key organizing themes included perceived value of standardized questions about firearm access, challenges of asking and answering, and considerations for practice improvement. Clinician interview themes largely converged and/or complemented patient interviews. Conclusions and Relevance In this qualitative study using semistructured interviews with patients and clinicians, a standardized question about firearm access was found to encourage dialogue about firearm access. Respondents underscored the importance of nonjudgmental acknowledgment of patients' reasons for firearm access as key to patient-centered practice improvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie E. Richards
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle,Department of Health Systems & Population Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Elena S. Kuo
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle
| | - Ursula Whiteside
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle,NowMattersNow.org, Seattle, Washington
| | - Lisa Shulman
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle
| | - Marian E. Betz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Rebecca Parrish
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Department of Mental Health & Wellness, Seattle
| | | | - Ali Rowhani-Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle,Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Gregory E. Simon
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle,Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle,Kaiser Permanente Washington Department of Mental Health & Wellness, Seattle
| |
Collapse
|