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Can we use medical examiners' records for suicide surveillance and prevention research in Nova Scotia?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21978640     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
INTRODUCTION: Medical examiners' records can contribute to our understanding of the extent of suicide in a population, as well as associated sociodemographic and other factors.
METHODS: Using a mixed methods approach, the key objective of this pilot study was to determine the sources and types of information found in the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service (NSMES) records that might inform suicide surveillance and targeted prevention efforts. A secondary objective was to describe the one-year cohort of 108 individuals who died by suicide in 2006 in terms of available sociodemographic information and health care use in the year prior to death.
RESULTS: Data extraction revealed inconsistencies both across and within files in terms of the types and amounts of sociodemographic and other data collected, preventing correlational analyses. However, linkage of the records to administrative databases revealed frequent health care use in the month prior to death.
CONCLUSION: The introduction of systematic data collection to NSMES investigations may yield a comprehensive dataset useful for policy development and population level research.
Authors:
L A Campbell; L Jackson; R Bassett; M J Bowes; M Donahue; J Cartwright; S Kisely
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Chronic diseases and injuries in Canada     Volume:  31     ISSN:  1925-6523     ISO Abbreviation:  Chronic Dis Inj Can     Publication Date:  2011 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-10-07     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101556266     Medline TA:  Chronic Dis Inj Can     Country:  Canada    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  165-71     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Capital District Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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