The collaborative assessment and management of suicidality versus treatment as usual: a retrospective study with suicidal outpatients

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2005 Oct;35(5):483-97. doi: 10.1521/suli.2005.35.5.483.

Abstract

The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) is a novel clinical approach used to identify, assess, and manage suicidal outpatients (Jobes & Drozd, 2004). The results of a retrospective study evaluating the impact of CAMS versus treatment as usual (TAU) on suicidal outpatients are presented. Patients in the CAMS treatment group (n = 25) resolved their suicidality significantly more quickly than TAU patients (n = 30). CAMS was also significantly associated with decreased medical health care utilization in the 6 months after the start of suicide-related mental health treatment. These results provide promising preliminary support for the effectiveness of CAMS and a foundation for prospective research.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy
  • Physician-Patient Relations*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Suicide, Attempted / prevention & control*
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires