Clinical Assessment Versus Research Methods in the Assessment of Suicidal Behavior

At admission, clinicians failed to document a history of suicidal behaviour in 12 of 50 patients identified by research assessment as depressed & as having attempted suicide. Fewer total suicide attempts were clinically reported than in research data. Documentation of suicidal behaviour was least accurate in the physician discharge summary & was most accurate on hospital intake assessment which employed a semistructured format for recording clinical information including suicidal behaviours.