The Attitudes of Emergency Staff Toward Attempted Suicide Patients A Comparative Study Before and After Establishment of a Psychiatric Consultation Service

Background: The staff in the emergency room of general hospitals are under heavy work pressure and seem to reveal negative attitudes toward suicide attempters. From earlier studies there is indirect evidence that the attitudes of staff who have the opportunity to consult a psychiatrist are less negative. Aims: The study compare the attitudes of emergency room staff in a general hospital toward patients who had attempted suicide before and after establishment of a psychiatric consultation service. Methods: Attitudes were measured on the Understanding Suicidal Patients (USP) Scale. A total of 100 participants returned the questionnaire. Results: General understanding and willingness to nurse patients who attempted suicide did not increase. Conclusion: The results suggest that providing a psychiatric consultation service did not significantly affect attitudes among general hospital emergency room staff toward attempted suicide patients during its first year of operation, but in general, the emergency room staff was content with the opportunity for psychiatric consultation.