Suicide Prevention Training for PC Providers-in-training

Suicide is a national public health crisis and a critical patient safety issue. Suicide is
the 10th leading cause of death overall and, shockingly, the 2nd leading cause of death in
adolescents and young adults (15-34 years old). 1 A recent U.S. study of suicide reported
that 45% of individuals who died by suicide had contact with primary care services within one
month before their death. 2 Another study found that 80% of youth who died by suicide saw
their primary care provider within the year of their death. 3 Patient safety is compromised
when primary care providers lack the knowledge and skills to assess and respond to patients
at risk for suicide.

This randomized control study responds to the need for effective suicide prevention
education/training that is grounded in adult learning theory and advances in education, in
the context of a changing health care landscape where primary care providers are likely to
encounter suicidal individuals. 4 We will test the effectiveness of suicide prevention
education for providers-in-training by comparing two conditions: 1) A Control learning group:
includes suicide prevention didactics (Commitment to Living: Primary Care) delivered online
via brief videos, and 2) An Experimental learning group: includes didactics plus two
standardized patient (SP) interactions. One Experimental learning group SP interaction will
be in person and the other will be conducted remotely using a secure webcam service (OoVoo).
All SP interactions will be recorded. Both groups will be compared in terms of their suicide
prevention skills using an SP 'test case' at 6-month follow up. The primary research question
is to learn about the impact of practice (though SP simulation) over and above didactics
alone. The hypotheses are as follows:

H1: All subjects will demonstrate improved suicide prevention knowledge from pre to post
didactics and maintain improvement 6 months after didactics.

H2: Subjects in the experimental learning group will report greater satisfaction with the
training, greater self-efficacy in identifying and responding to patients at risk for
suicide, greater intention to use, as well as use of suicide prevention skills.

H3: Subjects in the experimental learning group will also be more skillful in responding to
patients at risk for suicide (in an SP interview, measured by objective observed ratings)
compared to the control learning group 6 months after didactics.

Exploratory Aims: We will examine moderators of outcomes, differences among SP simulations
(i.e., face-to-face vs. telehealth modalities), and if there is growth in improved skills
observed over multiple SP experiences in the experimental learning group.

Inclusion Criteria:

- trainee in family medicine residency, pediatrics residency, or nurse practitioner
program at URMC.

- speaks/writes English.

Exclusion Criteria:

- on academic probation