GPs' perspectives regarding suicide prevention: a systematic scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Primary Care Research
• Mental Health Services Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Suicide is a significant public health concern.
• General Practitioners (GPs) encounter patients at high risk for suicide attempts.
• GPs play a vital role in suicide prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a systematic scoping review of qualitative research.
• To explore General Practitioners' (GPs) perspectives on suicide prevention within primary care settings.
• To identify current understanding and gaps in qualitative research on this topic.

Main Methods:

• Systematic scoping review methodology.
• Qualitative studies were included based on eligibility criteria.
• Thematic synthesis was employed to analyze extracted data.

Main Results:

• Twelve qualitative studies from seven countries were analyzed.
• Four key themes emerged: challenges in managing suicidal behavior, fragmented mental health service relationships, GPs' personal attitudes, and needs for improved primary care suicide prevention.
• Significant challenges and needs were identified by GPs.

Conclusions:

• Understanding GPs' perspectives is crucial for enhancing training, resources, and support.
• There is a notable lack of evidence on effective suicide management approaches for GPs.
• Strengthening primary care and mental health service integration is essential for person-centered care.