The failure of suicide prevention in primary care: family and GP perspectives – a qualitative study

Gerard Leavey, Sharon Mallon, Janeet Rondon-Sulbaran, Karen Galway, Michael Rosato, Lynette Hughes

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    45 Citations (Scopus)
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    Abstract

    BackgroundAlthough Primary care is crucial for suicide prevention, clinicians tend to report completed suicides in their care as non-preventable. We aimed to examine systemic inadequacies in suicide prevention from the perspectives of bereaved family members and GPs.MethodsQualitative study of 72 relatives or close friends bereaved by suicide and 19 General Practitioners who have experienced the suicide of patients.ResultsRelatives highlight failures in detecting symptoms and behavioral changes and the inability of GPs to understand the needs of patients and their social contexts. A perceived overreliance on anti-depressant treatment is a major source of criticism by family members. GPs tend to lack confidence in the recognition and management of suicidal patients, and report structural inadequacies in service provision.ConclusionsMental health and primary care services must find innovative and ethical ways to involve families in the decision-making process for patients at risk of suicide.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-10
    JournalBMC Psychiatry
    Volume17
    Issue number1
    Early online date21 Nov 2017
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished online - 21 Nov 2017

    Keywords

    • The failure of suicide prevention in primary care: family and GP perspectives – a qualitative study

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