SUICIDE RISK IN THE GENERAL-HOSPITAL

This paper reviews the relationship between physical illness and suicide, reviews the studies of attempters and completers of suicide in general hospitals, and discusses those studies which have investigated the characteristics of patients in the medical setting with suicidal ideation. Study of suicidal ideation in a general hospital setting aimed at characterizing patients' suicidality may allow psychiatrists to better discriminate those patients at greater risk for completed suicide. Comparison of medical patients with suicidal ideation with those who had attempted or completed suicide, and recommendations to reduce suicidal impulses and treat these patients are discussed.