Citation

Hanson MD, Niec A, Pietrantonio AM, Johnson S, Young M, High B, MacMillan HL, Eva KW. Acad. Med. 2007; 82(10 Suppl): S61-4.

Affiliation

HSC 3G41, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3Z5, Canada. hansonm@mcmaster.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Association of American Medical Colleges, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/ACM.0b013e31813ffedd

PMID

17895693

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Because of common use of adolescent simulated patients (ASPs), clarification of the risk of negative effects associated with high-stress simulations is essential. This study evaluates the safety of suicidality simulations. METHOD: ASPs participated in a suicidality role or pediatric role. Explicit measures of their impact included the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) and Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-2 (RADS-2), both of which were completed pre-/poststudy. Implicit behavioral measures of impact were also collected during training, including the Implicit Association Test. RESULTS: Three of the 24 participants had clinical RADS-2 and/or SIQ scores. None of these adolescents' mental status deteriorated with SP participation. ASPs in the suicidality role showed behavioral effects consistent with a negative reaction, and two reported brief depression. CONCLUSIONS: ASPs participated in a suicidality simulation without evidence of suicide contagion. However, ASPs' behavioral reactions and self-reported depression suggested a transient depressive reaction.

Language: en