General practice based intervention to prevent repeat episodes of deliberate self harm: cluster randomised controlled trial * Commentary: Clinical guidelines have limitations

Abstract

What is already known on this topic What is already known on this topic About two thirds of patients consult their general practitioner in the three months after an episode of deliberate self harm There have been no previous large scale randomised controlled trials of general practice based interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of repeat episodes of deliberate self harm What this study adds What this study adds An intervention comprising an invitation to consult from a patient's general practitioner and by the use of guidelines for the assessment and management of deliberate self harm in a subsequent consultation does not reduce the incidence of repeat episodes of deliberate self harm What is already known on this topic What is already known on this topic About two thirds of patients consult their general practitioner in the three months after an episode of deliberate self harm There have been no previous large scale randomised controlled trials of general practice based interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of repeat episodes of deliberate self harm What this study adds What this study adds An intervention comprising an invitation to consult from a patient's general practitioner and by the use of guidelines for the assessment and management of deliberate self harm in a subsequent consultation does not reduce the incidence of repeat episodes of deliberate self harm