Assessing violence risk in general adult psychiatry

Abstract

Aims and method: We aimed to establish current practice in the risk assessment of harm to others within general adult psychiatry and review risk assessment documentation in use. Consultants working across 66 randomly selected trusts across England were surveyed. A qualitative analysis of risk assessment documentation was carried out. Results: Data were obtained from 45 trusts (68%). Consultants reported that 30 (67%) of the trusts had standardised forms for risk assessment. Forty-one forms were subjected to content analysis. Wide variation was found in the methods used to identify risk factors and in approaches to quantifying risk. Clinical implications: Current risk assessment practice is highly variable, indicating a lack of consensus about suitable methods.