Assessing the Risk for Suicide in Patients With Cancer

Abstract

The Joint Commission publishes its annual National Patient Safety Goals to guide accredited organizations in addressing high-risk, low-volume concerns related to patient safety. The 2010 list includes a goal to identify patients at risk for suicide, but do oncology nurses need to be concerned about the risk of suicide in patients with cancer?

<b>Doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e sua relação com o comportamento suicida no âmbito hospitalar / Non-communicable chronic diseases and their relationship with suicidal behavior in hospital context<b>

“…Poucos artigos apresentaram propostas de prevenção do suicídio, no entanto cinco trabalhos foram incluídos na pesquisa (50)(51)(52)(53)(54) , sendo que todos trouxeram como conclusão de seus estudos a importância da conscientização por parte dos profissionais de saúde sobre o risco de suicídio presente no paciente portador de alguma DCNT. Na visão dos autores, as equipes atuantes em hospitais gerais não estão acompanhando o crescente número de mortes por suicídio no mundo, tampouco reconhecem que a doença crônica é um dos mais importantes fatores de risco para o comportamento suicida.…”

“…A equipe de enfermagem foi citada por muitos autores (50,51,54) , que insistiram na ideia de ser por ela que se devem iniciar as estratégias de prevenção do suicídio no contexto hospitalar, por tratar-se do profissional mais próximo ao paciente ao longo de um processo de internação. Além disso, é frisada a relevância do acompanhamento psicológico nessas instituições (51,53,54) .…”

Suicide Screening in the Oncology Population

“…As advanced practitioners are with patients more than any other health-care worker, their role is vital in preventing suicide. The goal of intervention is to work with patients to improve coping skills, reshape negative thoughts, and mobilize a support system while developing and maintaining a supportive alliance (Aiello-Laws, 2010). According to Chochinov (2001), the most effective intervention for depression is medication combined with psychosocial support and counseling.…”

Oncology Clinical Challenges: Caring for Patients With Preexisting Psychiatric Illness

“…One of the most difficult nursing roles may be to assess patients with cancer for suicide risk in the ambulatory setting-an important piece of the psychosocial assessment, particularly when a patient has a history of mental illness or is exhibiting significant symptoms of anxiety, depression, or distress. Studies suggest that patients with cancer are at an increased risk of suicide and that the risk of suicide may increase with an advanced stage of cancer at diagnosis (Aiello-Laws, 2010;Allebeck, Bolund, & Ringback, 1989;Fox, Stanek, Boyd, & Flannery, 1982). During the nurse's assessment of emotional distress, depression, and anxiety, it is appropriate to say, "some people think about killing themselves when they receive a cancer diagnosis.…”