Does initial management affect the rate of repetition of deliberate self harm?
In the year following presentation to hospital after deliberate self harm, up to 25% of people repeat the act. 1 A range of sociodemographic and psychological factors has been shown to predict the likelihood of repetition. 2 3 Factors related to the management of patients may also be important. Observational studies have suggested that some people who receive a psychiatric assessment as part of their initial management may have lower rates of repetition of self harm. 4 We examined the effect of other aspects of management on rates of repetition among a cohort of patients presenting to medical services after deliberate self harm.
