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The following is a summary of “Best practice for integrating digital interventions into clinical care for young people at risk of suicide: a Delphi study,” published in the January 2024 issue of Psychiatry by Bailey et al.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to develop comprehensive best-practice guidelines to facilitate the safe and effective integration of digital tools into clinical care, enhancing support for young people at risk of suicide.
They conducted a Delphi study and formulated best-practice guidelines by surveying 17 participants, utilizing input from peer-reviewed and gray literature, and stakeholder interviews. Two expert panels (professionals n = 20, young people with digital support experience n = 29) independently rated items over two consensus rounds. Guidelines were compiled from items achieving consensus (rated as “essential” or “important” by ≥80% of panel members) after round two.
The result showed 326 individual items evaluated by the panels, consensus was achieved for including 188 items (57.7%) in the guidelines. These endorsed items offer guidance on crucial aspects of working with young people through digital means, addressing topics such as the appropriate circumstances and recipients for digital tool usage, criteria for selecting digital tools, recognizing potentially harmful content, and identifying and handling suicide risk conveyed through digital tools. Several items aimed at services (rather than individual clinicians) also received endorsement.
Investigators concluded first-ever digital suicide prevention guidelines for youth empower clinicians, paving the way for broader impact.
Source: bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-023-05448-7