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Suicide: what is in the clinician's mind?
1Department of Clinical Psychiatry, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|June 20, 2001
Summary
Clinician mindset, including anxiety and confidence, significantly impacts the assessment and treatment of suicidal patients. Understanding these internal factors is crucial for effective patient care and outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Suicidal patient care presents complex challenges for clinicians.
- Effective treatment planning requires integrating various patient factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical role of the clinician's internal state in managing suicidal patients.
- To emphasize that clinician judgment is paramount in treatment formulation.
Main Methods:
- This study is a conceptual analysis and synthesis of existing clinical knowledge.
- It draws upon clinical experience and theoretical frameworks in suicidology.
Main Results:
- Clinician's psychological state (anxiety, confidence, knowledge, uncertainty) profoundly influences patient outcomes.
- External factors like demographics, genetics, and psychobiology are significant but secondary to clinician's internal factors.
Conclusions:
- The clinician's mindset is a determining factor in the successful assessment and treatment of suicidal patients.
- Future clinical training should address the impact of clinician psychology on patient care.