Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Screening Initiative For Non-Stroke Geriatric Inpatients, Kimberly Harper

Doctoral Projects

Current literature reveals a need for improved depression screening efforts among inpatient geriatrics. This population is at higher risk for severe depression, suicidal ideations, poorer health outcomes related to decreased compliance to healthcare regimens, and increased healthcare costs. Current best practice involves the utilization of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF), a 15-question yes or no answer screening tool. While not diagnostic, the tool has established validity and reliability testing. The GDS-SF should not be used on subsets of the population diagnosed with stroke, dementia or delirium.

The purpose of this project was to develop a protocol for implementation of …

Acceptability Of The Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire As A Suicide Risk Screening Tool For Veterans In A Non Veterans Health Administration Primary Care Clinic, Jeffrey M. Bird

Doctoral Dissertations

Suicide among veterans is a growing concern. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that a veteran dies by suicide once every 60-80 minutes with 18 to 22 veterans killing themselves every day. Many veterans receive healthcare in the community (outside of the VA), but are typically not identified in these settings. Veteran-centric policies are typically absent in settings outside of the VA. Screening for suicide risk at the primary care level has been largely ineffective with some patients dying from suicide within a week of a negative screen. The Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), which measures thwarted belongingness and perceived …