Exploring inequalities in the management of suicide risk (INVIE)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring Social inequalities in the management of suicide risk in Emergency Departments (INVIE)
IRAS ID
349376
Contact name
Laure Pitti
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Université Paris 8
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
This research project explores social inequalities in the assessment and treatment received in emergency departments (ED) for people experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB). The study has three nested research questions. Firstly, what are the differences in assessment and treatment for people experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours ? Secondly, what are the contextual factors that contribute to these treatment differences ? Thirdly, can these differences be classified as social inequalities ? This is an understudied area of a priority public health concern. Numerous studies in recent years have identified variations in the quality of care received in emergency departments, but very few have attempted to link these variations to broader inequalities.
This study proposes a qualitative methodology, involving immersion within an emergency department for several months, reviewing patient records, observing clinical consultations as well as semi-directive interviews. These methods have been chosen in order to give an in-depth account of work in the ED as well as a detailed description of the care received, both of which are missing from previous quantitative studies.
Research participants include the different health-care professionals working in the emergency department setting as well as patients. The research will be conducted at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The data collection period will last for maximum 6 months. Patient participants will have a researcher present during clinical interviews and their patient records will be consulted. Healthcare worker participants will have a research present throughout their working day. Some healthcare workers and patients will undergo semi-directive interviews.REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
25/SS/0025
Date of REC Opinion
13 Mar 2025
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion