Clinical Leader of Operations Emergency Mental Health and Addictions- IWK Children’s Hospital halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Body of Abstract: Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) face significant challenges when managing suicidal youth, with their emotional responses, such as anxiety and confidence, directly impacting the quality of care delivered. This study aimed to identify training gaps by examining how professional training and experience shape these emotional and practical responses in healthcare workers dealing with suicidal youth and their families.
Research
Aims: The study aimed to determine the influence of professional training and years of experience on the emotional and practical responses of healthcare workers (e.g., anxiety, confidence, comfort) in managing suicidal youth and interacting with families. It also sought to identify specific training gaps to improve overall care delivery.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 123 healthcare workers, including nurses, social workers, physicians, and psychologists, across various clinical settings. The survey assessed emotional responses, such as anxiety and confidence, using a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive and correlational analyses were used to explore the relationships between training, years of experience, and emotional/practical responses.
Results: Targeted training programs significantly increased confidence and reduced anxiety among HCWs. Workers with less than one year of experience exhibited the highest levels of anxiety, which decreased by 30% after training interventions. Workers with over ten years of experience showed greater emotional stability, although they still indicated a need for ongoing training in therapeutic techniques. Training interventions were particularly effective in reducing stress related to family involvement, with notable improvements across all levels of experience.
Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted training interventions to address gaps in emotional preparedness and practical responses of HCWs managing suicidal youth. Early-career workers demonstrated the greatest benefits from training, with improvements in confidence and reduced anxiety. Even experienced professionals recognized the value of continuous training. These findings underscore the necessity of structured educational initiatives to enhance the quality of care for suicidal youth and their families, particularly focusing on emotional resilience and family dynamics.
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Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to formulate strategies for implementing targeted training interventions to improve healthcare workers' confidence and emotional resilience.
Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss the impact of targeted training on healthcare workers’ confidence and emotional responses in managing suicidal youth.
Upon completion, participants will be able to identify specific training gaps affecting care delivery for suicidal youth and their families.
