Does initial management affect the rate of repetition of deliberate self harm? cohort study.

In the year following presentation to hospital after deliberate self harm, up to 25% of people repeat the act. A range of sociodemographic and psychological factors has been shown to predict the likelihood of repetition. 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. 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.