Improving Guideline-Based Care for Suicide Prevention in Mental Healthcare: An Empirical Implementation Protocol

While guideline-based mental healthcare has demonstrated its potential to enhance patient outcomes and reduce suicide rates, low adherence to these guidelines in mental healthcare settings remains a significant challenge. Clinical guidelines for suicide prevention have existed in the Netherlands for over a decade, yet variability in guideline adherence persists. Using a Systematic Approach to Suicide Prevention in mental healthcare based on implementation science, this study aims to enhance the uptake of guideline-based care for suicide prevention in mental healthcare settings. Aligned with the knowledge-to-action (KTA) framework, this study design incorporates the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) model to create a robust approach for improving the adoption of guideline-based care for suicide prevention. Each phase of the KTA framework is outlined in the study protocol, offering a structured roadmap for implementing and evaluating the program. The inclusion of CFIR allows for a nuanced exploration of contextual factors influencing implementation, while the RE-AIM model facilitates a thorough evaluation of the project across multiple dimensions. The study takes a mixed-methods approach to collecting data on patient level, professional level, and implementation level outcomes. This research represents a step towards bridging the gap between guideline development and practical application in mental healthcare, striving to make a meaningful impact on suicide prevention efforts. The integration of comprehensive implementation science frameworks provides a systematic and evidence-based foundation for fostering sustainable improvements in guideline adherence, ultimately contributing to a more effective and responsive mental healthcare system.