Nurses' Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Suicidal Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study of Depression Management Training

Overview

Journal Healthcare (Basel)

Specialty Health Services

Date 2024 Feb 10

PMID 38338169

Authors

Yael Sela

Yossi Levi-Belz

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Method: This quasi-experimental study used a questionnaire that included a randomly assigned textual case vignette, measures related to patient descriptions portrayed in the vignette, and demographic and clinical/training information. The participants were 139 Israeli nurses who were mostly Jewish, Israeli-born, and married women working as community nurses. Almost half had completed depression management training (DMT) in their routine work.

Results: Nurses who completed depression management training were more likely than non-trainees to query the patient regarding mental status and suicide plans and were more likely to refer them to appropriate further treatment. The graduate nurses also reported higher self-competence and more positive attitudes regarding their ability to assess depression and suicide risk than nurses who had not received depression management training.

Discussion: The results highlight the importance of depression management training, as suicide assessment and referral are among the major steps to suicide prevention.

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