Abstract
BackgroundSuicide is a serious public health issue and one of the most common causes of death globally. Suicide has long-lasting impact on personal, relational, community and societal levels. Research has shown that patients often seek help in the primary healthcare system preceding a suicide. Studies exploring the experiences of encountering patients at risk for suicide have been performed among various categories of healthcare personnel, such as nurses and psychiatry residents as well as emergency room staff. There is a lack of research regarding primary healthcare rehabilitation staff, despite the fact that physiotherapists are the third largest health profession in the Western hemisphere and often work with patients experiencing mental health symptoms. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of encountering patients at risk for suicide among physiotherapists working in a primary healthcare rehabilitation setting.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 physiotherapists working in primary healthcare rehabilitation clinics in the Gothenburg area, Sweden. The interviews were recorded on audio and transcribed into written text. A qualitative content analysis was performed on the material collected.ResultsThe analysis of the material revealed an overarching theme, Through barriers and taboos – the physiotherapist finds a way, with five main categories: possibilities for identification, obstacles in meeting suicide, workplace environment matters, where does the patient belong? and education and experience are keys.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that physiotherapists in the primary healthcare system encounter patients experiencing suicidality, and they expressed a strong desire to care for both the physical and mental wellbeing of the patients. Despite reporting many barriers, the physiotherapists often found a way to form a meaningful therapeutic alliance with the patient and to ask about possible suicidality in their clinical practice. The result suggests that physiotherapists could play a larger role in working with patients experiencing suicidality in a primary healthcare setting and that they could be viewed as possible gatekeepers in identification as well as referral of these patients into other parts of the healthcare system.
Highlights
Suicide is a serious public health issue and one of the most common causes of death globally
Suicide is widely recognized as a serious global public health issue with an estimate of 800,000 people dying by suicide annually [1], which makes it one of the most common causes of death
The aim of this research is to explore the experiences of encountering patients at risk for suicide among physiotherapists working in a primary healthcare rehabilitation setting
Summary
Suicide is a serious public health issue and one of the most common causes of death globally. There are indications that for each adult who dies by suicide there may have been more than 20 others who made an attempt [1] Both suicides and suicide attempts have long-lasting impacts on personal, relational, community and societal levels [1]. Research shows an elevated risk among individuals with mental or physical disabilities, both on a group level and related to a specific disorder or diagnosis. This is the case with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries [3]. An elevated risk has been detected among patients with traumatic brain injury [5] autism spectrum disorders [6] or chronic pain [7], and among patients afflicted by post-traumatic stress disorder [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
