Evaluation of a Gatekeeper Training for Pharmacists

This study aims to investigate to what extent a gatekeeper training (e-learning) for pharmacists and PTA is effective in changing the attitudes, knowledge, and self-efficacy. Moreover, it aims to examine how they evaluate the training and whether they were able to apply the learned skills in practice.

Participants in this group (all participants) are asked to complete a questionnaire and then receive access to the online gatekeeper training (e-learning) during three days, after which they were asked to complete another questionnaire. After three months, a third questionnaire is sent.

The gatekeeper training consists of an interactive e-learning (min. 1h, max. 3h) which includes theoretical knowledge, tips, exercises and relevant examples and cases. The main topics included in the e-learning are: Background information on suicide in Flanders (rates) Definitions and theoretical background (suicidal process, integrative explanatory model of suicide) Debunking existing myths about suicide The role of the pharmacist in suicide prevention Signal Recognition Talking about suicide and suicidal thoughts (start the conversation) How and to whom to refer as pharmacist or FTA Medication management and medication in the context of suicide Rights and obligations of a pharmacist/PTA in the context of suicide prevention Self-care

The ATTS is a 37-item to be scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1= disagree completely to 5 = agree completely) to measure participants' attitudes towards suicide.

The Measurement of Perceived Self-efficacy is a 10-item self-report questionnaire to be scored on a 4-point Likert scale (1= Completely false to 4 = completely true)

Self-developped questionnaire: 4 statements to be rated as true or false; 2 question about how participant would feel if a patient said they have suicidal thouhgts

8 evaluative statements about the e-learning to be rated on a 5-point Likert scale (Totally disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, totally disagree). Question to rate the e-learning on a scale of 1 (not good at all) to 10 (excellent) Additionally three open questions where participants can give feedback about what they liked/did not like/ general comments.

At baseline: motivation to participate (9 options), previous trainings (yes/no, specify if yes) At baseline and post-test: experience with suicidal patients (contact and confidence; 5 point Likert scale), knowing what to do or who to refer to (5-point Likert scale), knowing where to find information (5-point Likert scale), which actions previously taken in case of suicidal patient (list of 12), to who do you refer (5 options)

Questions concerning: application of acquired skills and knowledge; actions undertaken in context of suicide prevention (12 options); experienced barriers to application of acquired skills and knowledge; need of extra support

Inclusion Criteria: ≥ 18 years old Have access to internet Speak Dutch Working as a (public) pharmacist or pharmaceutical technical assistant (FTA) Exclusion Criteria: Hospital pharmacists or industrial pharmacists are not included in this study and thus constitute an exclusion criterion.