Abstract

Background

Military suicide rates have risen over the past two decades, with a notable spike in recent years. To address this issue, military mental health providers must be equipped with the skills required to provide timely and effective care; yet little is known about the suicide-specific training experiences or needs of these professionals.

Methods

Thirty-five mental health care providers who treat active duty personnel at military treatment facilities participated in this mixed-methods study. All participants completed a survey assessing training and clinical experiences, comfort and proficiency in working with patients at risk for suicide, and perceived barriers to obtaining suicide-specific training. A sub-set of participants (n = 8) completed a telephone interview to further describe previous experiences and perceived challenges to obtaining training.

Results

The majority of participants (79.4%) had 6+ years of clinical experience, had a patient who had attempted suicide (85.3%), and completed at least one suicide-related training since finishing their education (82.4%). Survey results showed the leading barrier to enrolling in suicide-specific trainings was perceived lack of training opportunities (40.7% reported it was a barrier “quite often” or more), followed by lack of time (25%). Interview results revealed lack of time, location and logistical issues, and low perceived need for additional training among providers could impede enrollment.

Conclusions

Study results identified several modifiable barriers to receiving suicide-specific continuing education among military mental health providers. Future efforts should develop accessible training programs that can be easily integrated into routine clinical operations to mount the best defense against suicide.

• HIGHLIGHTS

• Military mental health providers report significant experience and relatively high degrees of comfort and proficiency working with patients at high risk for suicide.

• Most providers reported receiving training in suicide assessment and screening; few reported prior training in management of suicidality.

• Study results identified several modifiable barriers to receiving suicide-prevention continuing education among military mental health care providers; future efforts should seek to develop accessible training programs that can be easily integrated into routine clinical operations to mount the best defense against suicide.

中文翻译：

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军事心理健康服务提供者针对自杀的培训经验和需求

摘要

背景

过去二十年来，军人自杀率不断上升，近年来更是显着上升。为了解决这个问题，军事心理健康服务提供者必须具备提供及时有效护理所需的技能；然而，人们对这些专业人员针对自杀的培训经历或需求知之甚少。

方法

在军事治疗设施治疗现役人员的 35 名精神卫生保健提供者参与了这项混合方法研究。所有参与者都完成了一项调查，评估培训和临床经验、与有自杀风险的患者一起工作的舒适度和熟练程度，以及获得针对自杀的培训的感知障碍。一部分参与者（n  = 8）完成了电话采访，以进一步描述以前的经历和感知到的获得培训的挑战。

结果

大多数参与者 (79.4%) 拥有 6 年以上的临床经验，曾有过自杀未遂的患者 (85.3%)，并在完成学业后至少完成了一项与自杀相关的培训 (82.4%)。调查结果显示，参加针对自杀的培训的主要障碍是缺乏培训机会（40.7% 的人表示这是“经常”或更多的障碍），其次是缺乏时间（25%）。访谈结果显示，缺乏时间、地点和后勤问题，以及提供者对额外培训的需求较低，可能会阻碍入学。

结论

研究结果发现，军队心理健康服务提供者在接受针对自杀的继续教育方面存在一些可以改变的障碍。未来的努力应该开发易于理解的培训计划，这些计划可以轻松地融入日常临床操作中，以最好地防御自杀。

• 强调

• 军事心理健康提供者报告说，他们在与自杀高风险患者一起工作方面拥有丰富的经验，并且具有相对较高的舒适度和熟练程度。

• 大多数提供者表示接受过自杀评估和筛查方面的培训；很少有人报告说他们之前接受过自杀管理方面的培训。

• 研究结果发现，军队精神卫生保健提供者在接受预防自杀继续教育方面存在一些可以改变的障碍；未来的努力应寻求开发易于使用的培训计划，这些计划可以轻松地融入日常临床操作中，以对自杀采取最佳防御措施。