O'Driscoll Michelle, Carpenter Delesha M, Foley Ailbhe, Moloney Emily, Reddin Katie, Sahm Laura J
Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Ireland.
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, 220 Campus Drive, CPO 2125/114G Karpen Hall, Asheville, NC 28804, United States of America.
Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Jun 1;10:100285. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100285. eCollection 2023 Jun.
Suicide is a leading cause of deaths globally, with over 700,000 deaths by suicide reported annually. In Ireland, numbers of suicides increased by 5.4% from 2015 to 2019. Community pharmacists are one of the most accessible and trusted healthcare professionals, and together with their staff they are well placed to identify those who may be at risk of suicide and guide them towards care pathways. Furthermore, their role in medication management can limit vulnerable patient access to potentially harmful medications. This study aims to explore the experience of community pharmacists and their staff in dealing with patients at risk of suicide and to identify ways of increasing education and support in this area.
Pharmacists registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) were invited to complete an anonymous online survey via Google Forms in May 2020, and to circulate the online survey link to their community pharmacy staff (CPS). The survey comprised 29 questions across the following categories: interactions with at-risk patients; communication; training and resources. Free text responses to the following question were invited: "Without any identifying information, please tell us briefly about a time when you interacted with a patient who you were concerned may hurt himself or herself". Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Of 219 eligible responses (67% female, 94% pharmacists, 6% other pharmacy staff), 61% percent ( = 134) reported having a patient die by suicide. Forty percent ( = 87) of participants reported feeling either very or moderately uncomfortable communicating with patients that may be at risk of suicide or self-harm. Most respondents (88.5%, = 194) had not completed any suicide training. Online/webinar style trainings (82.1%, = 180), and local/regional in-person events (50%, = 111) were the most preferred education mode. Qualitative themes that emerged were: (i) accessibility; (ii) medication management; (iii) therapeutic relationship; (iv) knowledge and training; and (v) continuum of care pathways.
This study highlights the high frequency of community pharmacy interactions with those at risk of suicide and the necessity for appropriate training in suicide prevention. Further research-informed action is required to facilitate navigation of such interactions with knowledge and confidence.
自杀是全球主要的死亡原因之一，每年报告的自杀死亡人数超过70万。在爱尔兰，2015年至2019年期间自杀人数增加了5.4%。社区药剂师是最容易接触且最受信任的医疗保健专业人员之一，他们及其工作人员处于识别可能有自杀风险的人并引导他们走向护理途径的有利位置。此外，他们在药物管理方面的作用可以限制易受伤害的患者获得潜在有害药物的机会。本研究旨在探讨社区药剂师及其工作人员在处理有自杀风险患者方面的经验，并确定在该领域加强教育和支持的方法。
2020年5月，邀请在爱尔兰药剂师协会（PSI）注册的药剂师通过谷歌表单完成一项匿名在线调查，并将在线调查链接分发给他们社区药房的工作人员（CPS）。该调查包括以下几类的29个问题：与有风险患者的互动；沟通；培训和资源。邀请对以下问题进行自由文本回复：“在不提供任何识别信息的情况下，请简要告诉我们您与一位您担心可能会伤害自己的患者互动的一次经历”。使用描述性统计和主题分析对数据进行分析。
在219份合格回复中（67%为女性，94%为药剂师，6%为其他药房工作人员），61%（n = 134）报告有患者自杀死亡。40%（n = 87）的参与者表示在与可能有自杀或自我伤害风险的患者沟通时感到非常或中度不舒服。大多数受访者（88.5%，n = 194）没有完成任何自杀培训。在线/网络研讨会形式的培训（82.1%，n = 180）和当地/地区面对面活动（50%，n = 111）是最受欢迎的教育模式。出现的定性主题有：（i）可及性；（ii）药物管理；（iii）治疗关系；（iv）知识和培训；以及（v）护理途径的连续性。
本研究强调了社区药房与有自杀风险者互动的高频率以及进行自杀预防适当培训的必要性。需要采取进一步基于研究的行动，以便自信且有知识地处理此类互动。
