Leo Sher, M.D.

My article entitled, “Suicide risk and malpractice considerations in geriatric care” has been published in European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience online ahead of print (1). A summary of my article is provided below:

Suicide among older adults is a significant and often underrecognized global public health issue influenced by interacting medical, psychological, and social factors, with consistently higher rates than in younger populations across multiple countries. Because geriatric physicians, particularly geriatric psychiatrists, encounter suicidal patients more often, they may face increased clinical, ethical, and legal challenges, including malpractice claims following patient deaths. Although suicide prediction models have limited accuracy, legal standards emphasize “foreseeability,” meaning clinicians are expected to recognize and act upon identifiable risk factors. Common risks—including depression, anxiety, loneliness, cognitive decline, chronic illness, pain, and hopelessness—are prevalent in older adults, making routine and careful suicide assessments essential. The article emphasizes prioritizing prevention through frequent evaluation, appropriate psychiatric and medical care, social support, and thorough documentation, while stressing that high-quality care should be guided by responsibility and respect for older adults rather than fear of litigation.

Reference

1. Sher L. Suicide risk and malpractice considerations in geriatric care. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2026 Jan 7. doi: 10.1007/s00406-025-02183-w. Epub ahead of print.