Is suicide prevention properly taught in medical schools?

Abstract

Objective: To determine the need and feasibility of developing a national suicide prevention (SP) curriculum for undergraduate medical students. Design: Exploratory study using semi-structured phone interviews and surveys. Data was obtained from ten (out of 15) Australian Medical Schools (AMS), 373 medical students from one Queensland medical school, and 24 Australian General Practitioners, between April and June, 2006. Results: Convergent views of AMS, medical students, and GPs revealed a high need and support for SP curricula, especially on skills-based education. Students who previously received SP education rated themselves significantly higher on skills-based SP abilities than those who had not. Over one-third of GPs had not received SP training from their universities (37.5%), yet 66% had experienced a case of suicide among their patients, and a third recorded on average a case of suicide every two years. The majority of students and GPs rated themselves as least competent on skills-based SP capabilities, yet rated these capabilities very high in importance for the medical profession. Whilst 80% of AMS provides some form of SP education, the quantity and quality of this is divergent. All AMS indicated support for a more uniformed SP curriculum, identified priority SP topics and delivery mechanisms, and 80% agreed to participate in a future piloting of a SP curriculum. Conclusions: SP curriculum may positively impact on student's perceived competency. Skills-based SP curricula were highly recommended to improve ‘hands-on’ assessment, intervention and management capabilities. Further consultation is required with all AMS to specify structure and resource needs for a national SP curriculum.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jacinta L. Hawgood

MRS JACINTA HAWGOOD – BSSc, BPsy(Hons), MClinPsy, MAPS is a Lecturer in Post-Graduate studies at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University. She is involved in a number of research projects and training and has publications in suicide education and research. Ms Hawgood is a Clinical Psychologist, working predominantly with suicidal young adults.

Karolina E. Krysinska

DR KAROLINA KRYSINSKA – MA (Psych), PhD is a Research Fellow at Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention at Griffith University, Brisbane. She is a Psychologist and has been working in the field of suicide research for 12 years. She has published several papers and book chapters on suicide and its prevention.

Naoko Ide

MS NAOKO IDE – BBSc (Psych), is a Research Assistant at Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention at Griffith University, Brisbane. She holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psych) and is currently involved in several State and Nationally funded research projects in suicide prevention.

Diego De Leo

PROFESSOR DIEGO DE LEO - MD, PhD, DSc, FRANZCP, Professor of Psychiatry at Griffith University; Diego De Leo is also Director of the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention. He holds a Doctor of Science (GU) and is an international leader in suicide prevention research.