Management of self-harm in older people

Abstract

AIMS AND METHOD: The epidemiology of self-harm in older people is poorly understood and a low incidence rate hampers research efforts. Regional surveillance for this may assist with research and improve clinical services accordingly. This study involved undertaking a scoping exercise to explore current management of self-harm in elderly people in selected North London hospitals, by interviewing healthcare professionals directly involved in their treatment. RESULTS: The study showed varied methods of coding clinical information across trusts, with no consistent method of surveillance. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Implications of this exercise involve generation of a summary document that will educate stage two of the project, which is the convention of a working party to implement a surveillance system across the region.