Date of Award
2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Supervisor
Dr. Jeffrey Hoch
Second Advisor
Dr. Kathy Speechley
Abstract
The objective of this thesis was to examine emergency department (ED) management of index episodes of attempted suicide in the Metropolitan Toronto Area (MTA). Descriptive analyses indicated females visiting EDs for attempted suicides were systematically different in patient characteristics compared to males. Logistic regression models assessed 1) whether female sex and other patient characteristics were associated with discharge outcomes (a proxy measure of service provision); and 2) which patient characteristics were associated with receipt of evidence based care for attempted suicide. Females differed from males proportionally in the following patient characteristics: psychiatric illness, triage level and nature of injury. Female sex was associated with increased odds of discharge to home (OR=1.77, 95%CI=1.18-2.68). EDs responded to women’s increased risks by discharging them to home. Little is known regarding the context of discharge to home and it should be investigated further. Female sex was not associated with receipt or non-receipt of evidence based care
Recommended Citation
Joshi, Pamela, "EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDES AMONG WOMEN IN THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO AREA" (2006). Digitized Theses. 5052.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/5052