Exploring Health Care Professionals' Knowledge of, Attitudes Towards, and Confidence in Caring for People at Risk of Suicide: a Systematic Review.

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 4 electronic databases over 10 years was conducted. Following retrieval of 1,723 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.

Confidence and attitudes of pharmacy students towards suicidal crises: patient simulation using people with a lived experience.

PURPOSE: Health care professionals, including pharmacists, have the potential to recognise and assist those at risk of suicide. The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of utilising people with a lived experience of mental illness as simulated patients on final year pharmacy students' attitudes toward and confidence in caring for people at risk of suicide after first receiving Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. METHODS: A parallel group repeated measures design was used. People with a lived experience of mental illness enacted patients experiencing a mental health crisis, including possible suicidal ideation. Following MHFA training, the first group directly participated in the simulation, the second group observed, and the final group had no exposure to the simulation. Validated surveys measuring student attitudes and confidence were conducted at three time points; pre and post MHFA, and then at 2-4 weeks follow-up. RESULTS: Full datasets of survey responses were received from 34/40 direct participants (85%), 104/146 observers (71%) and 50/66 comparison students (76%). Mean confidence scores significantly improved for all groups post MHFA training (p < 0.05). At follow-up, all 8 confidence items for the direct participant and observer group maintained significance from baseline to post intervention (p < 0.05). Mixed results in relation to attitudes towards suicide were evident at each time point and among each participant group. CONCLUSIONS: Utilising people with a lived experience of mental illness as simulated patients has a positive effect on sustaining pharmacy student confidence in discussing suicidal behaviour post MHFA training. The inconsistency in attitudes towards suicide suggests that attitudes are complex in nature, involving multiple dynamic influences.