O ensino da intervenção em crise suicida: uma proposta de currículo para ensino à distância.

Abstract

Suicide is an important public health problem, and its prevention depends on articulated measures including the fields of education and health. Training health professionals to properly take care of people at suicide risk is one possible action. Health education has been increasingly based on adult learning principles and the perspective of meaningful learning. Current available technologies for distance education allows a wide range of new possibilities, for example, flexible study schedules or reaching audiences who would not be able to be on face-to-face classes otherwise. This study proposes a competency oriented training curriculum for suicide crisis intervention, aimed at healthcare professionals, in a distance-learning mode, so that the care practices for people at risk are improved. The curriculum was built on Ten Cate's "Ten Steps" method and had the competency matrix developed based on the literature research and the consulted experts opinion. Two axes guided the course design: one aimed at the patient at risk of suicide and another aimed at the professional who takes care of him. There are five units, distributed along 12 weeks. The first one is a face-to-face moment, and the following have a distance-learning format. The total course load is 60 hours. Foreseen difficulties include the heterogeneity of previous knowledge and experience among students, and the need for clinical assistance in case of a suicidal crisis. Nevertheless, this can be another available tool for professional training and increased possibilities for suicide prevention.