Citation

Tsai WP, Lin LY, Chang HC, Yu LS, Chou MC. Perspect. Psychiatr. Care 2011; 47(3): 117-125.

Affiliation

Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Nursing Department, Beitou Armed Forces Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; and Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1744-6163.2010.00278.x

PMID

21707626

Abstract

PURPOSE:   This study evaluates whether a short training program can improve nurses' abilities to recognize and effectively respond to patients exhibiting suicidal behavior. DESIGN AND METHODS:   The study is a randomized controlled trial. Ninety-eight nurses in the experimental group attended the regular monthly continuing education class and a 90-min Gatekeeper Suicide-Awareness Program. Ninety-seven nurses in the control group only attended the regular monthly continuing education class. Before and after the different educational interventions, all the nurses were asked to complete a questionnaire to link demographic data and to access their awareness of suicide warning signs and their responses if encountering a potentially suicidal individual. FINDINGS:   Nurses who participated in the Gatekeeper Suicide-Awareness Program were much more aware of suicide warning signs and more willing to refer patients for professional counseling. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:   We suggest that nursing personnel's continuing education include a training program for suicide prevention.

Language: en