Using Participatory Action Research to Build, Implement and Evaluate a Clinical Decision Support System for Suicide Risk in a General Medical Practice

Suicide risk screening was trialed at an Australian university health clinic using an algorithm tool based upon demographic and mental health risk factors. The screening tool, implemented only for new patients attending for their first appointment with a general practitioner, was successful in identifying young adults with recent thoughts of suicide as well as those who may be at risk of suicide in the future or are reluctant to disclose suicidal thoughts. more work is needed to automate and integrate the tool into primary care practices if it is to be more widely adopted.