Citation

Boukouvalas EA, El-Den S, Murphy AL, Salvador-Carulla L, O'Reilly CL. Arch. Suicide Res. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-31.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2019.1586608

PMID

30856366

Abstract

Health care professionals are paramount to the prevention and management of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Confidence in caring for people at risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is influenced by knowledge of and attitudes towards suicide. This systematic review aimed to explore health care professionals' knowledge of and attitudes towards suicide, as well as, their confidence in caring for people at risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A systematic search of four electronic databases over ten years was conducted. Following retrieval of 1723 abstracts, 46 primary research publications were included, involving both cross-sectional (n = 27) and intervention study designs (n = 19). Knowledge of, attitudes towards and confidence in caring for people at risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors were explored among primary health care professionals, specialists and health care students. The influence of training and education, type of health care professional, country of practice and prior experience with suicide were highlighted among included studies. Health care professionals' knowledge of, attitudes towards and confidence in caring for people at risk of suicide are complex, interrelated constructs that shape their behaviors and may impact patient outcomes. Suicide training and education is necessary within health care curricula and as part of health care professionals' continuing professional development.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide; attitudes; confidence; health care professionals; knowledge