Physicians Are Less Likely to Assess and Manage Suicide Risk Among Older Adults: Broader Implications for Suicide Prevention Within Primary Care

Raue comments on the study by Simons et al. which conducted retrospective electronic health record reviews of 93 veterans from three hospitals to identify age differences in suicide risk screening and management in their last medical visit before making a suicide attempt. The current study adds to this literature by examining age group differences in clinicians' assessment of specific risk factors and their provision of crisis interventions. The authors' first finding was that veterans 50 years and older were less likely than younger veterans to have seen a mental health specialist prior to a suicide. Second, clinicians were less likely to document firearm access or crisis interventions for older veterans than for younger ones.