Telehealth Monitoring of Patients with Schizophrenia and Suicidal Ideation. Issue 5 (17th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kasckow, John; Gao, Shasha; Hanusa, Barbara; Rotondi, Armando; Chinman, Matthew; Zickmund, Susan; Gurklis, John; Fox, Lauren; Cornelius, Jack; Richmond, Ira; Haas, Gretchen L.
• Is Part Of: Suicide and life-threatening behavior. Volume 45:Issue 5(2015)
• Page Start: 600
• Page End: 611
• Publication Date: 2015-02-17
• Subjects: Suicide -- Periodicals; Suicide -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Suicide -- Periodicals; 362.28
• DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12154
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-0234

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="sltb12154-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>A telehealth system was developed to monitor risk following hospitalization for suicidal ideation. We hypothesized that 3 months of telehealth monitoring will result in a greater reduction in suicidal ideation. Veterans with schizophrenia admitted with recent suicidal ideation and/or a suicidal attempt were recruited into a discharge program of VA Usual Care with daily Health Buddy© monitoring (HB) or Usual Care (UC) alone. Fifteen of 25 were randomized to HB and 10 received UC. Daily adherence in the use of the HB system during months 1–3 was, respectively, 86.9%, 86.3%, and 84.1%. There were significant improvements in Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation scores in HB participants. There were no changes in depressive symptoms. Telehealth monitoring for this population of patients appears to be feasible.</p> </abstract>