A national survey of pediatricians' experiences and practices with suicide prevention
Abstract
Objective Describe pediatricians' experiences, attitudes, and practices around suicide prevention within primary care, and examine associations between pediatricians' experiences and practices.Methods The nationally representative Periodic Survey of American Academy of Pediatrics members provided data on pediatricians' patient experience with suicide risk, perceived barriers to screening for suicidal ideation (SI), preparedness to counsel about suicide prevention, interest in learning more about suicide prevention strategies, and frequency of screening for and managing suicidal ideation. Multivariable analyses examined the effect of having a patient die by or attempt suicide on screening practices.Results A total of 41% responded to the survey with 377 respondents in the analytic sample. A total of 93% of pediatricians had a patient screen positive for SI and 81% had a patient attempt or die by suicide. A total of 61% always screened for SI and 63% reported using a standardized depression screening tool and 9% a suicide-specific tool. Respondents who had a patient attempt or die by suicide were more likely to screen for SI (OR, 2.05, 95% CI, 1.16-3.63) and use a standardized depression screening instrument (OR, 2.34, 95% CI, 1.29-4.24). Patient reluctance to discuss mental health was the most frequently cited barrier (51%) followed by lack of time (49%) and lack of treatment options (43%). Over 90% of respondents assessed for a plan and referred to mental health services when suicidal ideation was identified.Conclusion Although pediatricians frequently see patients with suicide risk, 39% do not always screen for SI. Educational efforts are needed to improve pediatricians' assessment and management of suicide risk given new guidelines.
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A 2019 AAP survey found that over 90% of pediatricians had a patient screen positive or disclose suicidal ideation, and 81% reported having a patient who attempted or died by suicide.
“A 2019 survey by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found over 90% of pediatricians had a patient screen positive or disclose suicide ideation, and 81% reported having a patient who attempted or died by suicide.6”
From Evidence-based youth suicide prevention and intervention in pediatric primary care settings. (2024) · cites this paper as [6]
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- Authors
- Green, C., Gottschlich, E. A., & Burr, W. H.
- Affiliations
- Weill Cornell Medicine (US)
- American Academy of Pediatrics (US)
- Corresponding author
- Green, Cori
- Venue
- Academic Pediatrics
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2023-09
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1403-1410
- ISSN
- 1876-2859 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4318612748
- Cited by
- 25
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 5
- FWCI
- 7.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Academic Pediatrics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Association of Academic Physiatrists
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Injury Epidemiology and Prevention
- Keywords
- suicide prevention, pediatricians, primary care, suicide risk assessment, barriers to screening, depression screening tools, suicide attempts, suicide mortality, mental health referral
- MeSH terms
- Pediatricians, Suicide Prevention, Attitude of Health Personnel, Child, Humans, Mental Health Services, Practice Patterns, Physicians', Surveys and Questionnaires, United States
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