Abstract
In Australia, physiotherapists are registered healthcare practitioners who possess the knowledge and skills to care for clients with poor physical health as a result of musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory conditions. Although physiotherapists are not considered a primary profession in the Australian mental health workforce, the association between suicide and poor physical health suggests that they may encounter clients with suicidal thoughts and behaviours. We used a qualitative approach inspired by phenomenology to explore the experiences of nine physiotherapists who encountered clients with suicidal thoughts and behaviours. We used a combination of focus groups and in-depth interviews to collect this data. The data were analysed inductively using framework analysis. The main themes identified in the data were: i) the importance of trust, ii) the mechanism of conversation, and iii) the 'middle space'. The middle space refers to the experience of working with clients at risk of low or medium risk of suicide. A trusting practitioner-client relationship was reported to be essential in facilitating the disclosure of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Physiotherapists also reported that less structured subjective assessments encourage clients to talk more openly, which in turn facilitates the disclosure of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Once the disclosure of suicidal thoughts and behaviours occurred, physiotherapists reported a lack of confidence regarding role clarity and issues associated with this. Difficulties were most evident during encounters with clients with low to medium suicide risk due to a lack of confidence in the accuracy of assessment of these clients. The findings suggest that physiotherapists are well placed to detect and/or receive disclosure of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, as well as the need for physiotherapists to be trained in how to support clients who disclose suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Highlights
The high incidence of suicide is of concern to health departments, advisory bodies and society around the world [1]
In Australia, the National Suicide Prevention Adviser [2] highlighted the need for better coordination of health responses to suicidal thoughts and behaviours
Policies in other Australian states, such as the Victorian Suicide Prevention Framework 2016–25, advocate for the training of people who are likely to encounter at-risk individuals [5]. Both the New South Wales (NSW) and Victorian suicide prevention frameworks focus on reducing the number of deaths by suicide [4, 5], yet many more people are affected by suicidal thoughts and behaviours
Summary
The high incidence of suicide is of concern to health departments, advisory bodies and society around the world [1]. Existing suicide prevention policies, such as the Framework for Suicide Risk Assessment and Management for New South Wales Health Staff, expect that all health staff should be able to conduct a preliminary suicide risk assessment [4]. Policies in other Australian states, such as the Victorian Suicide Prevention Framework 2016–25, advocate for the training of people who are likely to encounter at-risk individuals [5]. Both the New South Wales (NSW) and Victorian suicide prevention frameworks focus on reducing the number of deaths by suicide [4, 5], yet many more people are affected by suicidal thoughts and behaviours
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 call
