PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Suicide prevention requires diverse, integrated, and evidence-based measures. Comprehensive evaluation of interventions and reliable suicide data are crucial for guiding policy-making and advancing suicide prevention efforts. This study aimed to analyze current issues and gaps in the evaluation of suicide prevention measures and the quality of suicide data in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to derive specific recommendations for improvement.
METHODS: Online, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 36 experts in suicide prevention from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, covering insights from policy, science, and practice. The interviews took place between September 2022 and February 2023, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the Framework method.
RESULTS: While solid evidence supports the effectiveness of some suicide prevention interventions, experts indicated that the evaluation of many other measures is weak. Conducting effectiveness studies in suicide prevention presents a range of methodological and practical challenges, including recruitment difficulties, choosing adequate outcome criteria, ethical considerations, and trade-offs in allocating resources to evaluation efforts. Many interviewees rated the quality of national suicide statistics in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as comparatively high. However, they noted limitations in the scope, timeliness, and reliability of these data, prompting some regions to implement their own suicide monitoring systems. None of the three countries has national routine data on suicide attempts.
CONCLUSIONS: While some challenges in evaluating suicide prevention measures are inevitable, others can potentially be mitigated. Evaluations could be enhanced by combining traditional and innovative research designs, including intermediate outcomes and factors concerning the implementation process, and employing participatory and transdisciplinary research to engage different stakeholders. Reliable suicide data are essential for identifying trends, supporting research, and designing targeted prevention measures. To improve the quality of suicide data, a standardized monitoring approach, including uniform definitions, trained professionals, and cross-sector agreement on leadership and financing, should be pursued. This study provides actionable recommendations and highlights existing good practice approaches, thereby supporting decision-makers and providing guidance for advancing suicide prevention on a broader scale.
METHODS: Online, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 36 experts in suicide prevention from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, covering insights from policy, science, and practice. The interviews took place between September 2022 and February 2023, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the Framework method.
RESULTS: While solid evidence supports the effectiveness of some suicide prevention interventions, experts indicated that the evaluation of many other measures is weak. Conducting effectiveness studies in suicide prevention presents a range of methodological and practical challenges, including recruitment difficulties, choosing adequate outcome criteria, ethical considerations, and trade-offs in allocating resources to evaluation efforts. Many interviewees rated the quality of national suicide statistics in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as comparatively high. However, they noted limitations in the scope, timeliness, and reliability of these data, prompting some regions to implement their own suicide monitoring systems. None of the three countries has national routine data on suicide attempts.
CONCLUSIONS: While some challenges in evaluating suicide prevention measures are inevitable, others can potentially be mitigated. Evaluations could be enhanced by combining traditional and innovative research designs, including intermediate outcomes and factors concerning the implementation process, and employing participatory and transdisciplinary research to engage different stakeholders. Reliable suicide data are essential for identifying trends, supporting research, and designing targeted prevention measures. To improve the quality of suicide data, a standardized monitoring approach, including uniform definitions, trained professionals, and cross-sector agreement on leadership and financing, should be pursued. This study provides actionable recommendations and highlights existing good practice approaches, thereby supporting decision-makers and providing guidance for advancing suicide prevention on a broader scale.
摘要：
背景：预防自杀需要多样化，集成,和基于证据的措施。综合评估干预措施和可靠的自杀数据对于指导政策制定和推进自杀预防工作至关重要。本研究旨在分析目前在评估自杀预防措施和自杀数据质量方面存在的问题和差距。奥地利,和瑞士提出具体的改进建议。
方法：在线，对来自德国的36名自杀预防专家进行了半结构化访谈，奥地利,瑞士,涵盖政策的见解，科学,和实践。采访发生在2022年9月至2023年2月之间，录音，逐字转录，并使用框架方法进行了分析。
结果：虽然确凿的证据支持一些自杀预防干预措施的有效性，专家表示，对许多其他措施的评估是薄弱的。在预防自杀方面进行有效性研究提出了一系列方法和实践挑战，包括招聘困难，选择适当的结果标准，伦理考虑，以及在为评估工作分配资源方面的权衡。许多受访者评价了德国国家自杀统计数据的质量，奥地利,瑞士相对较高。然而,他们注意到范围的限制，及时性、及时性这些数据的可靠性，促使一些地区实施自己的自杀监测系统。这三个国家都没有关于自杀未遂的国家常规数据。
结论：虽然评估自杀预防措施的一些挑战是不可避免的，其他人可能会被缓解。可以通过结合传统和创新的研究设计来加强评估，包括与实施过程有关的中间结果和因素，并采用参与性和跨学科研究来吸引不同的利益相关者。可靠的自杀数据对于识别趋势至关重要，支持研究，并设计有针对性的预防措施。为了提高自杀数据的质量，标准化的监测方法，包括统一的定义，训练有素的专业人员，以及关于领导力和融资的跨部门协议，应该追求。本研究提供了可操作的建议，并强调了现有的良好实践方法，从而支持决策者，并为更广泛地推进自杀预防提供指导。
方法：在线，对来自德国的36名自杀预防专家进行了半结构化访谈，奥地利,瑞士,涵盖政策的见解，科学,和实践。采访发生在2022年9月至2023年2月之间，录音，逐字转录，并使用框架方法进行了分析。
结果：虽然确凿的证据支持一些自杀预防干预措施的有效性，专家表示，对许多其他措施的评估是薄弱的。在预防自杀方面进行有效性研究提出了一系列方法和实践挑战，包括招聘困难，选择适当的结果标准，伦理考虑，以及在为评估工作分配资源方面的权衡。许多受访者评价了德国国家自杀统计数据的质量，奥地利,瑞士相对较高。然而,他们注意到范围的限制，及时性、及时性这些数据的可靠性，促使一些地区实施自己的自杀监测系统。这三个国家都没有关于自杀未遂的国家常规数据。
结论：虽然评估自杀预防措施的一些挑战是不可避免的，其他人可能会被缓解。可以通过结合传统和创新的研究设计来加强评估，包括与实施过程有关的中间结果和因素，并采用参与性和跨学科研究来吸引不同的利益相关者。可靠的自杀数据对于识别趋势至关重要，支持研究，并设计有针对性的预防措施。为了提高自杀数据的质量，标准化的监测方法，包括统一的定义，训练有素的专业人员，以及关于领导力和融资的跨部门协议，应该追求。本研究提供了可操作的建议，并强调了现有的良好实践方法，从而支持决策者，并为更广泛地推进自杀预防提供指导。
