Balancing Care and Confidence: Clinician Preferences for Telehealth Modalities in Suicide Risk Management

Despite its growing use, little is known about clinicians’ perceptions of telehealth for managing suicidality. The aim of this mixed methods study was to explore clinicians’ attitudes and preferences for telehealth modalities (videoconferencing and telephone) in managing suicidality. A total of 156 clinicians completed a survey measuring their attitudes and preferences for using telehealth in managing suicidal ideation, while 17 clinicians and stakeholders participated in interviews discussing perceived advantages, disadvantages and recommendations for telehealth use. Clinicians preferred in-person care over both telephone (p < .001) and videoconferencing (p < .001) for managing suicidal ideation, with videoconferencing favoured over telephone (p = .008). However, this preference was context-dependent, mainly observed for group settings. In one-on-one interactions, while in-person care was still preferred (p < .001), there were no significant differences between telephone and videoconferencing for supporting patients in suicidal distress. Content analysis identified key advantages, including better accessibility, increased patient comfort and the ability to assess the home environment. However, clinicians noted barriers such as limited non-verbal cues, technical issues and anxiety around managing crises remotely. Participants recommended more training, clear risk-management guidelines and greater familiarity with telehealth platforms. Targeted training and telehealth-specific guidelines are essential for enhancing safe and effective care for at-risk patients. ; No Full Text