How can social workers facilitate suicide prevention in primary care? Findings from a national survey of primary care physicians

ABSTRACT

There are currently no national data regarding U.S. Primary Care Physicians’ (PCPs’) suicide screening practices. This study surveyed 302 U.S. PCPs about their current suicide screening practices to identify service gaps and intervention points for social workers. Although one-third of PCPs reported providing screening and safety planning, few were using evidence-based tools. Factors that increased the likelihood of routine screening were belief in the importance of screening (p < .01), time (p < .01), and access to co-located behavioral health (p < .01). Findings support the role of social workers in primary care and suggest areas for training and collaboration.

KEYWORDS:

• Suicide screening and assessment
• primary care
• suicide prevention
• integrated behavioral health

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by West Virginia University under grants from the Eberly College Interdisciplinary Research Collaborative and Research and Scholarship Advancement Program.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the West Virginia University .