Evaluation of the Impact of the PABBS Suicide Bereavement Training on Clinicians' Knowledge and Skills.

Abstract

Background: Health-care professionals do not routinely receive training on how best to support parents bereaved by suicide. Evidence-based training - Postvention Assisting Those Bereaved by Suicide (PABBS) - was designed to address this gap. Aims: The study aimed (a) to pilot PABBS training and evaluate its perceived effectiveness (impact on self-reported knowledge, skills and confidence) in managing suicide bereavement; and (b) to explore training acceptability. Method: A pre- and postevaluation design was used. Professionals attended intensive, structured 1-day PABBS training comprising: didactic/interactive teaching; practice-orientated activities supported with real-life materials and a manual/workbook. Evaluation forms completed immediately before and after training analyzed: (a) self-reported changes in knowledge, skills, and confidence (perceived effectiveness of training); and (b) the acceptability of training. Results: In total, 62 professionals completed training. Perceived knowledge, skills, and confidence improved after training as did self-reported understanding, motivation to learn more, and intention to change practice. Training was highly rated, particularly the evidence-based, real-life materials, with some suggestions for improvement. Limitations: Self-selected sample and reliance on self-report measures are the study's limitations. Conclusion: PABBS training may help address gaps in professionals' capacity to support parents bereaved by suicide. The evidence-based content was highly acceptable and appeared to be a key ingredient in effecting self-reported changes in attitudes/intentions.

Citation

Chew-Graham. (2020). Evaluation of the Impact of the PABBS Suicide Bereavement Training on Clinicians' Knowledge and Skills. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 351- 358. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000646

• Acceptance Date: Aug 28, 2019
• Publication Date: Jan 10, 2020
• Journal: Crisis
• Print ISSN: 0227-5910
• Publisher: Hogrefe
• Pages: 351- 358
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000646
• Keywords: PABBS, Suicide, Bereavement, Suicide Bereavement, Clinician
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000646