The qualitative evaluation of a suicide prevention and management programme by general nurses

Sally Wai Chi Chan, Wai Tong Chien, Steve Tso

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the effect of an education programme on nurses' knowledge, attitude and competence on suicide prevention and management for patients with suicide attempt or ideation and their family members; and to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the programme from the participants' perspectives. Background. Providing care for patients with suicidal ideation or after suicidal acts in general hospitals often poses particular challenges for general nurses. Education programme may help these nurses acquire appropriate attitude, knowledge and competence in suicide prevention and intervention. Design. An 18-hour education programme on suicide prevention and management was developed based on needs analysis and literature and was provided to the study group. Fifty-four registered general nurses from the medical and surgical units of two general hospitals completed the education programme. Focus groups were used for process (n = 24) and outcome evaluation (n = 18). Results. Findings suggested that the education intervention had benefited the participants by improving their attitude, confidence and professional skills in responding to patients with suicidal intent. Conclusion. Barriers in the practice environment influenced nurses' abilities to give optimal care to this group of patients and their family members. Relevance to clinical practice. This study identified the essential content in an education intervention for prevention and management of suicide by frontline nurses and helped to understand the difficulties that nurses' encountered in practice.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2884-2894
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Clinical Nursing
Volume17
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Education
  • Evaluation
  • Nurses
  • Nursing
  • Prevention
  • Suicide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing

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