Screening for Suicidal Thoughts in Primary Care: the Views of Patients and General Practitioners

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with general practitiones & primary care patients who had signs of depression. The study combined open & closed questions on attitudes to screening or being screened for suicide ideation. 101 of 132 patients took part in the survey & 103 of 300 general practitioners completed a questionnaire. A majority in both groups stated people should be screened for suicide ideation. However, an important minority in both groups stated that asking or being asked such questions made them feel uncomfortable. One-quarter of general practitioners & one-fifth of patients supported the notion that screening for ideation could induce thoughts of self-harm. Less than half of the general practitioners had received formal training in suicide risk assessment. (27 refs.)