Engaging primary care professionals in suicide prevention: A qualitative study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Services Research
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Primary care professionals (PCPs) are vital in suicide prevention within well-developed primary care systems.
• The national Suicide Prevention Action Network (SUPRANET) program aimed to enhance PCP engagement in suicide prevention in the Netherlands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the SUPRANET program in supporting PCPs' suicide prevention practices.
• To identify facilitating and challenging factors influencing PCP engagement in suicide prevention.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative implementation study involving 21 semi-structured interviews with PCPs and non-clinical professionals.
• Grounded theory analysis of interview transcripts, structured using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Main Results:

• PCPs faced challenges in suicide risk assessment due to self-perceived incompetence, perceived burdensomeness, and workload limitations.
• While SUPRANET training and mental health nurses were facilitating factors, collaboration with specialized mental health care remained a significant limitation.
• PCPs reported a strong need for improved collaboration with specialized mental health services.

Conclusions:

• Suicide prevention training for PCPs is beneficial but insufficient on its own.
• Enhanced collaboration and liaison between primary care and specialized mental health services are essential for improving care for suicidal patients.
• Future suicide prevention strategies must prioritize strengthening this primary care-mental health service interface.