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Abstract
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OBJECTIVEs The focus of the present study was on the extent to which knowledge and skills in the field of suicide prevention are familiar to practitioners in addiction care and how relevant specific aspects of this topic are from their perspective.
METHODS An online survey was conducted as part of a federal project for the development of training in suicide prevention in the field of addiction. Members from all professional groups were invited to participate through postal invitations and various activities of the German Centre for Addiction Issues (Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen, DHS). The survey included closed questions as well as open questions on situations in which suicidality had played a role, on perceived groups at risk, and on other aspects the respondents perceived as relevant. To analyse the data, descriptive analyses were supplemented by qualitative methods.
RESULTS N=166 participants could be included. All included occupational groups reported too little consideration of the topic of suicidality during their professional education. This was particularly the case for social workers and nurses. With regard to specific training courses, various areas of interest could be identified, including practical skills such as warning sign recognition and communication with patients. The qualitative analysis provided evidence that the participants were aware of important risk factors and that they had knowledge of the assessment of acute suicidality. However, deficits and uncertainties emerged in relation to dealing with those affected, their appropriate referral and the involvement of other actors, as well as dealing with suicidal behavior in the team.
CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that professionals from the addiction field have an understanding of important aspects of the issue of suicide prevention, but also a high need for specific continuing education. In addition to basic information, such as risk factors and warning signs, appropriate training should focus on skills for dealing with those affected, provide knowledge on target group-specific actors in suicide prevention, and emphasize the importance of the team as a resource for managing suicidality. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart New York.
Language: de |