Saturday, January 19, 2008

Suicide in Primary Care

Many depressed patients see their family doctor before committing suicide. Some believe that primary care doctors cannot treat depression, especially if suicidal urges arise.

When primary care physicians treat depression, the suicide rate in the area decreases. Primary care doctor may have a greater impact, by long term treatment of depression, than psychiatrists. This is because most depressed patients do not see psychiatrists. When primary care doctors are deterred from treating depressed patients, by black box warnings, suicide increases.

Article reviews the management of this important patient group.

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