Dr. Ian Sadler, Assistant Professor of Medical Psychology in Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center/NY Presbyterian Hospital in New York City commented on the study in an email to Reuters Health. “Medical trauma of any kind can be a challenging adjustment. A subset of patients is likely more at risk because of their mental health history and poor social support.”
“As a mental health professional, I likely have a bias that all patients should be screened for depression and anxiety when they have gone through a difficult hospitalization,” he said. “Even though the risk appears higher in those with a mental health history, I think screening all patients post-discharge is not a bad idea.”
“A debriefing prior to discharge (to family and patient) re: signs and symptoms to look for in the weeks and months post-discharge would also be helpful,” he added. Like Dr. Fernando, he noted that “normalization and validation of appropriate distress can be reassuring.”
Pages: 1 2 | Single Page
No Responses to “ICU Stay Tied to Higher Risk of Post-Discharge Suicide Compared to Other Hospitalizations”