Use of Data Linkage Methods to Investigate Healthcare Interactions in Individuals Who Self-harm and Die by Suicide: A Scoping Review.

Objectives: In this review, the primary objective was to comprehensively summarize and evaluate the themes and analytical strategies of studies that used data linkage methods to examine the healthcare engagement of individuals with self-harming and suicidal tendencies. Additionally, the review sought to identify gaps in the existing literature and suggest directions for future research in this area.

Methods: This review utilized the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases. Employing a scoping review methodology, 27 papers were analyzed.

Results: One particularly common data source is the routine information collected by government agencies. However, some studies supplement this data with newly collected information. Compared to other research methods, data linkage offers the advantage of incorporating participants from diverse backgrounds into the analysis. Most relevant studies using data linkage methods have primarily focused on identifying socio-demographic correlates of self-harm, suicide deaths, and healthcare interactions. Additionally, some studies have used cluster analysis to identify patterns of healthcare utilization within affected populations. Certain papers have employed unique methods to measure self-harm and healthcare interactions, while one study utilized a moderator analytical approach.

Conclusions: Data linkage offers a promising approach for researching the dynamics between self-harm, suicide, and healthcare contact. A notable challenge, however, is the focus of most studies on the associations between socio-demographic factors and the risks of self-harm and suicide.