Identifying Suicidal Ideation in General Medical Patients

In a study of 6041 general medical patients, 154 had experienced suicidal thoughts. This article reports on data from univariate & multivariate analyses as well as the development of a 4-item screening questionnaire. Results from the symptom-based model suggest that a screening device, which includes questions about hopelessness, mood disturbances, sleep disturbance, & guilt might help general practitioners correctly identify patients with a high likelihood of suicidal ideation. (55 Refs.)