IN CONVERSATION WITH SUICIDAL CLIENTS: SIMULATION FOR HEALTHCARE STUDENTS

Background In Belgium 207/100,000 people die as a result of suicide compared to 106/100,000 people worldwide. It is therefore very likely that students in health and welfare work will be confronted with patients who struggle
with suicidal thoughts. The recognition of suicidal thoughts, the assessment of the risk of suicide and specific interview techniques should therefore receive sufficient attention in our nursing training.
Aim To explore the experiences of health care students with simulation training on suicide by a questionnaire and focus groups, as well as to measure students’ satisfaction with the simulation training by a questionnaire. This study can increase the understanding of how students experience simulation, lead teachers to design more effective simulation training sessions and to anticipate students’ experiences and satisfaction. In addition, this study can lead to a teaching module with interactive simulation that can be used in various care and welfare programs.
Method A qualitative descriptive study as well as a quantitative study. This study will be conducted in two university colleges in Flanders (Belgium). Each student first goes through the online module of the Flemish Expertise Center for Suicide Prevention on an individual basis Then the students traverses an audio-visual story with a good case study, followed by the in-vivo simulation and debriefing or vice versaFor the audiovisual story (‘good example’), an actor is hired who follows a script written by the teachers. The actor must have relevant experience in this type of simulation within a mental healthcare context. A care provider is also sought within the Flemish expertise center suicide with sufficient practical experience. The role of the caregiver will be taken by one of the teachers/researchers associated with the project, all of whom have ample experience in the matter.
Result this study will take place in the fall of 2019
Learning outcomes The participant will be able to understand the purpose of this study; The participant will be able to reflect on educational possibilities of this study; The participant will be able to inform about simulation education in mental health nursing.