title: GPs' experiences of dealing with parents bereaved by suicide: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Suicide prevention is an NHS priority in England. Bereavement by suicide is a risk factor for suicide, but the needs of those bereaved by suicide have not been addressed, and little is known about how GPs support these patients, and how they deal with this aspect of their work.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explores the experiences of GPs dealing with parents bereaved by suicide.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study using interviews with 13 GPs in the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents, whose adult offspring had died by suicide between 2002 and 2012, were recruited and gave the name of their GP to be invited for interview. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. The topic guide explored experiences of dealing with suicide and bereavement. Data were analysed thematically using constant comparison techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GPs described mental health as 'part and parcel' of primary care, but disclosed low confidence in dealing with suicide and an unpreparedness to face parents bereaved by suicide. Some GPs described guilt surrounding the suicide, and a reluctance to initiate contact with the bereaved parents. GPs talked of their duty to care for the bereaved patients, but admitted difficulties in knowing what to do, particularly in the perceived absence of other services. GPs reflected on the impact of the suicide on themselves and described a lack of support or supervision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GPs need to feel confident and competent to support parents bereaved by suicide. Although this may be facilitated through training initiatives, and accessible services to refer parents to, GPs also require formal support and supervision, particularly around significant events such as suicide. Results from this qualitative study have informed the development of evidence-based suicide bereavement training for health professionals.
authors.affiliation: Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Foggin
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mental Health and Safety;
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McDonnell
authors.affiliation: Institute for Inflammation and Repair, School of Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester.
authors.forename: Lis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cordingley
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, Manchester, and honorary consultant in psychiatry, Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Manchester.
authors.forename: Navneet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kapur
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, Manchester, and honorary consultant forensic psychiatrist, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, Preston.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: Research Institute, Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, and Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care, West Midlands.
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chew-Graham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001601:Bereavement; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004739:England; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000941:ethics*; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: bereavement; family practice; general practice; postvention; primary health care; suicide; supervision; training