A novel engagement of suicidality in the emergency department: Virtual Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality

Linda A Dimeff; David A Jobes; Samantha A Chalker; Brian M Piehl; Leticia Lobo Duvivier; Benjamin C Lok; Mohan S Zalake; Julie Chung; Kelly Koerner

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2018.05.005

A novel engagement of suicidality in the emergency department: Virtual Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2020 Mar-Apr:63:119-126. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2018.05.005. Epub 2018 May 20.

Authors

Linda A Dimeff¹, David A Jobes², Samantha A Chalker³, Brian M Piehl⁴, Leticia Lobo Duvivier⁵, Benjamin C Lok⁶, Mohan S Zalake⁷, Julie Chung⁸, Kelly Koerner⁹

Affiliations

¹ Evidence-Based Practice Institute, LLC, 3303 South Irving Street, Seattle, WA 98144, USA. Electronic address: linda@ebpi.org.
² The Catholic University of America, O'Boyle Hall, Room 314, 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20064, USA. Electronic address: jobes@cua.edu.
³ The Catholic University of America, O'Boyle Hall, Room 314, 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20064, USA. Electronic address: 97chalker@cua.edu.
⁴ The Catholic University of America, O'Boyle Hall, Room 314, 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20064, USA. Electronic address: 76piehl@cua.edu.
⁵ Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 5665 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA.
⁶ University of Florida, Department of Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering, CSE Room E544, P.O. Box 116120, Gainesville, FL 32611-6120, USA. Electronic address: lok@ufl.edu.
⁷ Evidence-Based Practice Institute, LLC, 3303 South Irving Street, Seattle, WA 98144, USA.
⁸ Evidence-Based Practice Institute, LLC, 3303 South Irving Street, Seattle, WA 98144, USA. Electronic address: julie@ebpi.org.
⁹ Evidence-Based Practice Institute, LLC, 3303 South Irving Street, Seattle, WA 98144, USA. Electronic address: kelly@ebpi.org.

PMID: 29934033
DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2018.05.005

Abstract

Objective: A novel avatar system (Virtual Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality System; V-CAMS) for suicidal patients and medical personnel in emergency departments (EDs) was developed and evaluated. V-CAMS facilitates the delivery of CAMS and other evidence-based interventions to reduce unnecessary hospitalization, readmissions, and suicide following an ED visit.

Method: Using iterative user-centered design with 24 suicidal patients, an avatar prototype, "Dr. Dave" (based on Dr. Jobes) was created, along with other patient-facing tools; provider-facing tools, including a clinical decision support tool were also designed and tested to aid discharge disposition.

Results: Feasibility tests supported proof of concept. Suicidal patients affirmed the system's overall merit, positive Perception of Care, and acceptability; medical providers (n = 21) viewed the system as an efficient, effective, and safe method of improving care for suicidal ED patients and reducing unnecessary hospitalization.

Conclusions: Technology tools including a patient-facing avatar and e-caring contacts, along with provider-facing tools may offer a powerful method of facilitating best-practice suicide prevention interventions and point-of-care tools for suicidal patients seeking ED services and their medical providers. Future directions include full development of V-CAMS and integration into a health electronic medical record and a rigorous randomized controlled trial to study its effectiveness.

Keywords: CAMS; Emergency department; Suicide; Virtual.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel*
Decision Support Techniques*
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Feasibility Studies
Female
Humans
Inpatients
Male
Medical Informatics Applications*
Middle Aged
Outpatients
Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
Point-of-Care Systems
Process Assessment, Health Care*
Proof of Concept Study
Suicide Prevention*
User-Computer Interface*
Young Adult

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding