Abstract
In recent years, numerous journal editorials and professional bodies have called for an increased role for nonpsychiatric health care providers (HCPs) in suicide prevention care. HCPs, including physicians and nurses, are in the position to play an important role in detecting suicide risk and performing early intervention with patients at risk for harming themselves. Despite this opportunity, many HCPs are not adequately prepared to address suicidality in their patients. The literature on how to better prepare providers to engage in suicide prevention is not well developed; relatively few high quality studies have been published demonstrating effective means to prepare HCPs for essential suicide prevention services such as screening, risk assessment, safety planning, and effective referral practices. The current chapter surveys a range of articles that report on efforts to boost HCPs’ preparedness to engage in effective suicide prevention care, and outlines the key elements that educational programs should consider moving forward. Barriers and facilitators for strengthening HCPs’ engagement with patients at risk for suicide will be explored, including in the areas of time constraints, opportunities for in-person versus online trainings, and use of effective training approaches. Recommendations for improving HCPs’ preparation to engage in effective suicide prevention care are proposed based on reviews of recent published studies and educational best practices.
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Delaney, T., Nelson, L., Lopez, D. (2022). Suicide Prevention Education for Health Care Providers: Challenges and Opportunities. In: Pompili, M. (eds) Suicide Risk Assessment and Prevention. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42003-1_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42003-1_9
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