Attitudes of prehospital providers on transport decision-making in the management of patients with a suicide attempt refusing care: A survey based on the of 2002.

BACKGROUND

Given the frequency of suicidal patients making attempts prior to a completed suicide, emergency access to mental health care services could lead to significant reduction in morbidity and mortality for these patients.

AIM

To describe the attitudes of prehospital providers and describe transport decision-making around the management of patients with a suicide attempt.

SETTING

Cape Town Metropole.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, vignette-based survey was used to collect data related to training and knowledge of the , prehospital transport decision-making and patient management.

RESULTS

Patients with less dramatic suicidal history were more likely to be discharged on scene. Few respondents reported the use of formal suicide evaluation tools to aid their decision. Respondents displayed negative attitudes towards suicidal patients. Some respondents reported returning to find a suicidal patient dead, while others reported patient attempts at suicide when in their care. Eighty per cent of respondents had no training in the management of suicidal patients, while only 7.0% had specific training in the .

CONCLUSION

A critical lack in the knowledge, training and implementation of the exists amongst prehospital providers within the Western Cape. A further concern is the negative feelings towards suicidal patients and the lack of commitment to transporting patients to definitive care. It is essential to urgently develop training programmes to ensure that prehospital providers are better equipped to deal with suicidal patients.