How Effective is Advanced Training Concerning Depression and Suicidality among the Elderly? Results of a Pilot Study

Abstract

Three Hundred and Seventy Four geriatric caregivers in Nuremberg and Munich participated in a four-hour advanced in-house training addressing the topic. "depression and suicidality in old age." Geriatric caregivers are key persons in early diagnosis of depressive symptoms and suicidality. The training focused on qualifying and sensitizing caregivers for these topics. A 12-item questionnaire was applied to measure the outcome parameters "knowledge and attitudes towards depression and suicidality in old age" within a pre-, post-, Three-months-follow-up design (rate of return = 58%). Short-term effectiveness of the advanced training "depression in old age" could be shown for most of the items. Significant long-term effects could be found concerning increase of knowledge about pharmacotherapy with antidepressants. Attitude towards "suicide in old age" also changed significantly. The training program was effective in improving knowledge and attitudes of geriatric caregivers concerning depression and suicidality.

Suicide risk in long‐term care facilities: a systematic review

“…Ziervogel et al . () reported similar results in a training session about knowledge and attitudes toward depression and suicide for caregivers. In a study evaluating ability to recognize risk factors for suicide and indirect suicidal behavior among clinical psychologists who work with older adults, providers were generally able to identify clinical risk factors (e.g., history of suicide attempt, depression, hopelessness, social isolation) but failed to recognize many others, such as bereavement, male gender, presence of medical illness, marital status, and ethnicity (Brown et al ., ).…”

Effectiveness of a training program for carers to recognize depression among older people

“…Several studies have trialed educational interventions for nursing staff to improve detection rates of depression in elderly nursing home residents (Walker and Osgood, 2000;Cuijpers and van Lammeren, 2001;Moxon et al, 2001;Rosen et al, 2002;Boyle et al, 2004;Mayall et al, 2004;Eissis et al, 2005). While there were indications that training on understanding depression and in the use of screening tools may increase staff knowledge and confidence (Walker and Osgood, 2000;Moxon et al, 2001;Boyle et al, 2004;Eissis et al, 2005;Ziervogel et al, 2005), increasing knowledge of depression or training in the use of validated screening tools alone may be insufficient to increase the detection and treatment of depression. Previous research has indicated that low self-efficacy and carers' perceived barriers to care, such as time constraints and poor communication, may lead to lower detection rates of depression in older people (McCabe et al, 2006).…”

Maintained Attitudinal Changes in Nursing Personnel After a Brief Training on Suicide Prevention

“…Training in suicide prevention should involve not only knowledge acquisition (e.g., the assessment and management of suicide risk), but also a change in attitudes toward suicidal behavior. The ability of brief educational intervention programs to change attitudes of healthcare professionals toward suicide has been examined by measuring pre‐and post‐training attitudes in the short‐term (Appleby et al, 2000; Morriss, Gask, Battersby, Francheschini, & Robson, 1999; Samuelsson & Asberg, 2002; Ziervogel, Pfeiffer, & Hegerl, 2005). Although overall improvement of attitudes have been achieved, how long this change is maintained remains unanswered.…”