Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to explore gender and age differences in the use of medical services during the year
preceding suicide. Data were obtained from the mortality dataset of Department of Health and National Health Insurance Database.
Included in the sample were 862 persons aged 12–24 years who committed suicide in Taiwan between 2001 and 2004. We compared
the records of medical service utilization of adolescents (ages 12–18 years) with young adults (ages 19–24 years). Persons
in both age groups contacted general practitioners more often than other types of medical providers in the year preceding
suicide, with the exception of the month before suicide. Females made greater use of medical services than males in both age
groups. Suicide prevention strategies should increase the emphasis in training non-psychiatric medical practitioners to identify
and treat young persons at suicide risk.
preceding suicide. Data were obtained from the mortality dataset of Department of Health and National Health Insurance Database.
Included in the sample were 862 persons aged 12–24 years who committed suicide in Taiwan between 2001 and 2004. We compared
the records of medical service utilization of adolescents (ages 12–18 years) with young adults (ages 19–24 years). Persons
in both age groups contacted general practitioners more often than other types of medical providers in the year preceding
suicide, with the exception of the month before suicide. Females made greater use of medical services than males in both age
groups. Suicide prevention strategies should increase the emphasis in training non-psychiatric medical practitioners to identify
and treat young persons at suicide risk.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-011-9470-1
- Authors
- Hsiu-Ju Chang, School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Yuen-Liang Lai, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Chia-Ming Chang, Department of Psychiatry and Suicide Prevention Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linko, Chang Gung Medical University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Ching-Chiu Kao, School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Meei-Ling Shyu, School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ming-Been Lee, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7 Chung San South Road, Taipei, Taiwan
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853