Chapter
Essential Clinical and Legal Issues When Working With the Suicidal Patient (IN: Treating Suicidal People, ed. by A. A. Leenaars et al)
Bongar B~~Greaney S A
6 tasks form the basis of risk management when working with suicidal patients: understanding the legal perspectives of suicide; knowing the legal definition of negligence & the common causes of malpractice actions; knowledge about the duty to prevent suicide through the use of reasonable care & skill; & understanding assessment, intervention & postvention procedures. This chapter focuses on the first 3 tasks & briefly introduces the last 3. Summary guidelines are provided for clinicians.