Adolescent Patients – Healthy or Hurting? Missed Opportunities to Screen for Suicide Risk in the Primary Care Setting

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of adolescent suicidal behavior known to primary care physicians in Maryland & to determine their knowledge, attitudes, & practices regarding screening for suicide risk factors among youth. 47% of respondents reported that 1 or more adolescent patients attempted suicide in the previous year but only 23% either frequently or always screened adolescents for suicide risk factors. More training is needed & desired by the survey respondents.