Integrating Interprofessional Education into Suicide Prevention Training: Results from A Pilot Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Suicide prevention training for health professions students is often fragmented across disciplines.
• There is a need for effective, interprofessional approaches to suicide prevention education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of an interprofessional education (IPE)-based suicide prevention course for diverse health professions students.
• To compare the effectiveness of fully online versus blended course delivery formats.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was employed to assess student outcomes.
• The study included health professions students from various disciplines (social work, counseling, public health).
• Primary outcomes measured included suicide prevention knowledge, clinical skills, risk factor sensitivity, and course satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Significant gains were observed in suicide prevention knowledge, clinical care skills, and perceived ability to assist self-harming patients.
• Moderate positive shifts in sensitivity to suicide risk factors were noted.
• Students reported high overall course satisfaction, with a preference for interactive methods in the blended course format.

Conclusions:

• IPE-based suicide prevention training can effectively enhance health students' knowledge and skills.
• Blended learning formats may offer advantages for interactive components in suicide prevention education.
• Recommendations are provided for refining and implementing such courses in academic and community settings.