ALGOS: the Development of a Randomized Controlled Trial Testing a Case Management Algorithm Designed to Reduce Suicide Risk Among Suicide Attempters

In this article, the authors present the protocol for a study in which they will examine the effectiveness of the ALGOS algorithm, an intervention based in a decisional tree of contact type which aims to reduce the incidence of repeated suicide attempts during 6 months. This algorithm of case management comprises the 2 strategies of intervention that showed a significant reduction in the number of repeat attempts: telephone contact (ineffective in first-attempters) & crisis cards (effective only in first attempters). The ALGOS algorithm is an easily reproducible & inexpensive intervention that will supply guidelines for the assessment & management of a population who may have difficulty with treatment compliance. (17 refs.) JA