What the study found
Health workers in this Norwegian survey were generally skeptical about putting strong emphasis on standardized suicide risk assessments. The study also found that respondents viewed suicide as at least partly preventable, and that responses differed across professions and hospitals.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say that understanding health workers’ perspectives is important for understanding clinician attitudes toward and adherence to current guidelines. They also state that these findings may have implications for future guideline development and suicide-prevention policy.
What the researchers tested
The researchers conducted an electronic survey of 183 health workers from three Norwegian hospitals. Participants included psychologists, doctors, nurses, and social workers, who answered 18 questions about suicide risk assessments, suicide prevention, risk factors for suicide, and the Norwegian guidelines for suicide risk assessment.
What worked and what didn't
The survey found significant differences between professional groups in their responses, and significant differences between hospitals in how staff perceived risk factors and standardized questions. The abstract reports that respondents were skeptical about the emphasis on standardized assessments, while also considering suicide at least partly preventable. The authors also note that there were differences between professions and hospitals, which they suggest may be due to cultural and educational aspects.
What to keep in mind
The abstract notes methodological limitations, but it does not describe them in detail in the available summary. The authors also state that suicide risk prevention is complex and involves a variety of factors, and they call for future research on health workers’ concerns about standardized suicide risk assessments.
Key points
- Health workers were generally skeptical about the emphasis on standardized suicide risk assessments.
- Respondents saw suicide as at least partly preventable.
- Responses differed significantly between professional groups and between hospitals.
- The survey included 183 health workers from three Norwegian hospitals.
- The abstract mentions methodological limitations but does not describe them in detail.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Health workers were skeptical of standardized suicide risk assessments
- Authors:
- Martin Bystad, Lars Lien, Sanja Krvavac, Rolf Wynn
- Institutions:
- University Hospital of North Norway, Norwegian Space Agency, University of Inland Norway, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Universitat de Miguel Hernández d'Elx
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-05
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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