Att fråga om suicid i primärvården - En kvalitativ studie om kuratorers förhållningssätt till suicid i samtal med patienter
(2024) SAHS05 20241School of Social Work
- Abstract
- This study aimed to investigate how counselors in primary care address the topic of suicide in conversations with patients. The intention was to examine whether the patient’s gender or age influenced how healthcare counselors inquire about suicide or address mental health issues. The method chosen for this study was qualitative interviews with seven counselors working in primary care in Sweden. In the analysis of the results, the theoretical framework used was social construction theory, with gender theory and ageism the primary being subordinate perspectives. The main findings of the study revealed that the subject of suicide was brought up regardless of the patient’s gender or age. There was a prevalent medical discourse on when and how... (More)
- This study aimed to investigate how counselors in primary care address the topic of suicide in conversations with patients. The intention was to examine whether the patient’s gender or age influenced how healthcare counselors inquire about suicide or address mental health issues. The method chosen for this study was qualitative interviews with seven counselors working in primary care in Sweden. In the analysis of the results, the theoretical framework used was social construction theory, with gender theory and ageism the primary being subordinate perspectives. The main findings of the study revealed that the subject of suicide was brought up regardless of the patient’s gender or age. There was a prevalent medical discourse on when and how to ask about suicide. The question of suicide was asked at the initial assessment and was raised again if the patient showed alarming indications. The patient's language can therefore have consequences for whether they will receive support from the healthcare system or not. To normalize the question of suicide, it was asked in different ways through different conversational styles based on the patient's interaction. The social interaction between counselor and patient thus created different forms of knowledge. The counselor's view of patients was characterized by stereotypical perceptions; Male and older patients were perceived as less inclined to seek help and to have difficulty expressing emotions, whereas female and younger patients were viewed as better at seeking help and expressing emotions. Older patients' problems were often seen as a natural part of aging resulting in more age discrimination, compared to younger patients. Despite counselors' aim to tailor their approach to the individual's unique characteristics rather than gender and age, stereotypes may persist, marginalizing certain groups. Addressing suicide regardless of gender or age could also foster inclusion, aiding positive mental health care changes. Gender and age stereotypes hinder the Healthcare Act's goal of equal care, which requires active actions to ensure fairness and inclusion. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9167001
- author
- Persson, Emelie LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SAHS05 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- M3 - Professional qualifications ( - 4 Years)
- subject
- keywords
- suicide, suicide prevention, primary care, social work, talking about suicide, gender, ageism, depression
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9167001
- date added to LUP
- 2024-06-30 16:53:10
- date last changed
- 2024-06-30 16:53:10
@misc{9167001,
abstract = {{This study aimed to investigate how counselors in primary care address the topic of suicide in conversations with patients. The intention was to examine whether the patient’s gender or age influenced how healthcare counselors inquire about suicide or address mental health issues. The method chosen for this study was qualitative interviews with seven counselors working in primary care in Sweden. In the analysis of the results, the theoretical framework used was social construction theory, with gender theory and ageism the primary being subordinate perspectives. The main findings of the study revealed that the subject of suicide was brought up regardless of the patient’s gender or age. There was a prevalent medical discourse on when and how to ask about suicide. The question of suicide was asked at the initial assessment and was raised again if the patient showed alarming indications. The patient's language can therefore have consequences for whether they will receive support from the healthcare system or not. To normalize the question of suicide, it was asked in different ways through different conversational styles based on the patient's interaction. The social interaction between counselor and patient thus created different forms of knowledge. The counselor's view of patients was characterized by stereotypical perceptions; Male and older patients were perceived as less inclined to seek help and to have difficulty expressing emotions, whereas female and younger patients were viewed as better at seeking help and expressing emotions. Older patients' problems were often seen as a natural part of aging resulting in more age discrimination, compared to younger patients. Despite counselors' aim to tailor their approach to the individual's unique characteristics rather than gender and age, stereotypes may persist, marginalizing certain groups. Addressing suicide regardless of gender or age could also foster inclusion, aiding positive mental health care changes. Gender and age stereotypes hinder the Healthcare Act's goal of equal care, which requires active actions to ensure fairness and inclusion.}},
author = {{Persson, Emelie}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Att fråga om suicid i primärvården - En kvalitativ studie om kuratorers förhållningssätt till suicid i samtal med patienter}},
year = {{2024}},
}