Improving confidence in suicide risk assessment.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Healthcare Professional Training
• Clinical Risk Management

Background:

• Suicide risk assessment is a critical yet complex skill for mental health professionals.
• Existing mandatory training improves theoretical understanding but often lacks practical application support.
• A gap exists in providing real-world, hands-on assistance for effective suicide risk management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of reflective peer review on mental health staff's suicide risk assessment practices.
• To determine if peer review enhances practical skills, confidence, and documentation in suicide risk management.
• To explore a supportive method for professionals to discuss and refine their risk assessment strategies.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a reflective peer review system for mental health professionals.
• Staff engaged in peer discussions about their suicide risk assessments and management plans.
• Focus on reflecting on knowledge, information sources, and peer collaboration in a supportive setting.

Main Results:

• Reflective peer review significantly improved staff skills in conducting suicide risk assessments.
• Participants reported increased confidence in managing suicide risk following the peer review process.
• Documentation quality related to suicide risk assessments and management plans showed notable improvement.

Conclusions:

• Reflective peer review is an effective practical support for mental health staff undertaking suicide risk assessments.
• This method complements theoretical training by fostering skill development, confidence, and better documentation.
• Peer collaboration in a supportive environment is crucial for enhancing clinical judgment in suicide risk management.