Evelien Coppens1, Chantal Van Audenhove2, Ricardo Gusmão3, György Purebl4, András Székely4, Margaret Maxwell5, Nicole Koburger6, Ella Arensman7, Ulrich Hegerl8. 1. LUCAS, Centre for Care Research and Consultancy, University of Leuven, Belgium. 2. LUCAS, Centre for Care Research and Consultancy, University of Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: Chantal.Vanaudenhove@kuleuven.be. 3. CEDOC, Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal. 4. Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary. 5. Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, United Kingdom. 6. Depression Research Centre, German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany. 7. National Suicide Research Foundation & Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Ireland. 8. Depression Research Centre, German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: General Practitioners (GPs) are well placed as gatekeepers for managing depression and suicidal ideation but not always well prepared. Capacity building has therefore been recommended as a useful strategy for suicide prevention. This study aimed to examine whether GPs' knowledge and attitudes towards and confidence to deal with depression and suicide improve after following a training program. METHODS: As part of the OSPI-Europe multilevel intervention, a standardized training on depression and suicide was provided to 208 GPs in three European countries. Core outcomes were assessed using the Depression Attitude Questionnaire, the Attitude towards Suicide Prevention Scale, and the Morriss Confidence Scale. Data were collected before and after training, and at three to six months follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, GPs demonstrated various stigmatizing attitudes towards depression and low optimism about the therapeutic treatment of depression. They showed moderately positive attitudes towards suicide prevention but felt little confident in dealing with depression and suicide in daily practice. The training resulted in improved knowledge, attitudes and confidence regarding depression and suicide and their prevention and treatment. At follow-up, only the increase in confidence to deal with depression and suicide was sustained. LIMITATIONS: The Depression Attitude Questionnaire has rather weak psychometric properties. Other external factors may have contributed to the observed training effects as the study included no control group. CONCLUSIONS: The OSPI-Europe training program was able to improve the GPs' attitudes towards suicide prevention, several attitudes towards depression and its treatment as well as the GPs' confidence to deal with depression and suicide in everyday practice. At follow, only the GPs' confidence to deal with depression and suicide was preserved.
BACKGROUND: General Practitioners (GPs) are well placed as gatekeepers for managing depression and suicidal ideation but not always well prepared. Capacity building has therefore been recommended as a useful strategy for suicide prevention. This study aimed to examine whether GPs' knowledge and attitudes towards and confidence to deal with depression and suicide improve after following a training program. METHODS: As part of the OSPI-Europe multilevel intervention, a standardized training on depression and suicide was provided to 208 GPs in three European countries. Core outcomes were assessed using the Depression Attitude Questionnaire, the Attitude towards Suicide Prevention Scale, and the Morriss Confidence Scale. Data were collected before and after training, and at three to six months follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, GPs demonstrated various stigmatizing attitudes towards depression and low optimism about the therapeutic treatment of depression. They showed moderately positive attitudes towards suicide prevention but felt little confident in dealing with depression and suicide in daily practice. The training resulted in improved knowledge, attitudes and confidence regarding depression and suicide and their prevention and treatment. At follow-up, only the increase in confidence to deal with depression and suicide was sustained. LIMITATIONS: The Depression Attitude Questionnaire has rather weak psychometric properties. Other external factors may have contributed to the observed training effects as the study included no control group. CONCLUSIONS: The OSPI-Europe training program was able to improve the GPs' attitudes towards suicide prevention, several attitudes towards depression and its treatment as well as the GPs' confidence to deal with depression and suicide in everyday practice. At follow, only the GPs' confidence to deal with depression and suicide was preserved.
Authors: Elke Elzinga; Anja J T C M de Kruif; Derek P de Beurs; Aartjan T F Beekman; Gerdien Franx; Renske Gilissen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-11-30 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Eliut Rivera-Segarra; Ernesto Rosario-Hernández; Paola Carminelli-Corretjer; Nelmit Tollinchi-Natali; Norka Polanco-Frontera Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-06-29 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Ulrich Hegerl; Margaret Maxwell; Fiona Harris; Nicole Koburger; Roland Mergl; András Székely; Ella Arensman; Chantal Van Audenhove; Celine Larkin; Mónika Ditta Toth; Sónia Quintão; Airi Värnik; Axel Genz; Marco Sarchiapone; David McDaid; Armin Schmidtke; György Purebl; James C Coyne; Ricardo Gusmão Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-11-11 Impact factor: 3.240