Public Health Nurses' Activities for Suicide Prevention in Japan

Suicide literacy in nurses: A cross-sectional study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study is a cross-sectional study aiming to determine the suicide literacy level of nurses and to examine the relationship between nurses' suicide literacy and certain variables.

BACKGROUND

Suicide literacy in nurses is a factor which affects knowledge levels. The level of suicide literacy in nurses may affect the care given to patients and the behaviour of obtaining help in relation to themselves.

METHODS

The study was conducted with 348 nurses between January and March 2020 at a hospital in the city of Antalya in Turkey. A personal information form and the Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS) were used to collect data. Descriptive statistical methods were used in data analysis. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of suicide literacy. The STROBE checklist was followed for this cross-sectional study.

RESULTS

The nurses' mean score on LOSS was 11.08 ± 3.92. Significant predictors of suicide literacy in nurses were being single, working in the emergency department, having previous experience in the psychiatry clinic, not having a mental illness, having suicide attempts in the family, having previously obtained information on intervention on individuals at risk of suicide and stating that their sources of information on this topic were nursing education and the Internet. These variables explained 19.8% of the variance in suicide literacy.

CONCLUSIONS

The nurses' suicide literacy was at a low level. It is recommended that education programs on the care of patients at risk of suicide be set up for all nurses working in general clinics.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

It is important to raise the levels of suicide literacy in nurses in order to provide better quality care to patients who are at risk of suicide. Also, raising levels of suicide literacy may strengthen nurses' behaviours in seeking help for themselves.

Suicide Awareness Training: A Literature Review with Application to Queensland Nurses

Despite decades of strategic intervention, Queensland's suicide rates exceed both national and global rates. This is surely an indicator that not enough is being done to address this cause of death. The authors suggest that this problem may be addressed, in part, by provision of improved suicide awareness training for nurses. The purpose of this review was to support this through examination of the contemporary status of suicide awareness training in Queensland nurses, the efficacy of suicide awareness training in general, and the experiences of nurses, other health professionals, and suicidal patients in healthcare settings. We concluded that while efficacious, suicide awareness training in Queensland nurses is presently inadequate, and that both nurses and patients may benefit from improved suicide awareness training.

Suicide care from the nursing perspective: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

AIMS

To explore nurses' experiences of suicide care and to identify and synthesize the most suitable interventions for the care of people with suicidal behaviour from a nursing perspective.

DESIGN

Qualitative meta-synthesis.

DATA SOURCES

Comprehensive search of five electronic databases for qualitative studies published between January 2015 and June 2019.

REVIEW METHODS

The PRISMA statement was used for reporting the different phases of the literature search and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative research checklist was used as an appraisal framework. Data synthesis was conducted using Sandelowski and Barroso's method.

RESULTS

Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria. The data analysis revealed 13 subcategories from which four main categories emerged: 'Understanding suicidal behaviour as a consequence of suffering', 'Nurses' personal distress in suicide care', 'The presence of the nurse as the axis of suicide care' and, 'Improving nurses' relational competences for a better therapeutic environment'.

CONCLUSION

Further training of nurses on the therapeutic relationship, particularly in non-mental health care work settings, and monitoring of the emotional impact on nurses in relation to suicide is required to promote more effective prevention and care.

IMPACT

This review provides new insights on how suicide is interpreted, the associated emotions, the way suicide is approached and proposals for improving clinical practice from the point of view of nurses. The results demonstrate that the nurse-patient relationship, ongoing assessment, and the promotion of a sense of security and hope are critical in nursing care for patients who exhibit suicidal behaviour. Consequently, to promote an effective nursing care of suicide, nurses should be provided with further training on the therapeutic relationship. Thus, health institutions do not only provide the time and space to conduct an adequate therapeutic relationship, but also, through their managers, they should supervise and address the emotional impact that is generated in nurses caring for patients who exhibit suicidal behaviour.

Ability to knit may be impaired following right temporal lobe resection for drug-resistant epilepsy

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The ability to knit may be compromised following a right or non-dominant temporal lobe resection.

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Non-lesional patients may be at particular risk.

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It is important to disseminate knowledge of impact of epilepsy surgery on specialist skills, via case studies.