Suicide prevention training program for gatekeepers working in community hospice settings.

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Mental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Hospice settings frequently encounter patients and caregivers with suicidal ideation.
• There is a lack of established guidance for training hospice staff in suicide prevention.
• Gatekeepers require effective strategies to address suicide risk in end-of-life care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an evidence-based suicide prevention program for community hospice staff.
• To assess the impact of the training on staff's awareness, self-efficacy, and knowledge regarding suicide prevention.
• To identify educational needs and satisfaction levels among hospice gatekeepers.

Main Methods:

• A pre- and post-test, one-group design was employed.
• The study included 39 staff members from community hospice settings.
• Training incorporated an evidence-based suicide prevention program with behavioral rehearsal.

Main Results:

• Nearly 80% of participants reported increased awareness of suicide risk factors.
• Self-efficacy scores significantly increased post-training (p=.00).
• Participants reported high satisfaction and a need for more dedicated training time.

Conclusions:

• Suicide prevention training is effective in enhancing knowledge and skills for hospice gatekeepers.
• The program demonstrated a significant positive impact on staff self-efficacy.
• Further investment in specialized suicide prevention training for hospice staff is warranted.