Course Code: REL-ACU-0-SPAPC
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2028
Learning Objectives:
Identify key risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors associated with suicide in the primary care population.
Apply validated suicide risk screening tools, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ), to assess patients for suicide risk in the outpatient setting.
Implement evidence-based brief interventions, including safety planning and means reduction, and develop structured referral and follow-up processes for patients at risk.
Outline:
Section 1: Suicide Risk in the Primary Care Setting
Epidemiology and Clinical Relevance
Common Risk Profiles in Ambulatory Patients
Risk Factors
At-Risk Groups
Protective Factors in Clinical Practice
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 2: Identifying and Assessing Suicide Risk in Primary Care
Recognizing Warning Signs
Subtle Cues and Patterns
Review
When to Screen for Suicide Risk
Routine Screening Guidelines
High-Risk Populations
Screening Tools Overview
Clinical Risk Thresholds for Suicide Risk
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 3: Brief Interventions for At-Risk Patients
Brief Interventions
Safety Planning in the Primary Care Setting
Lethal Means Safety Counseling
Motivational Interviewing (MI) Techniques
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 4: Referrals, Transitions of Care, and Follow-Up
Integrated Care Models
Identifying Appropriate Resources
Facilitating Effective Follow-Up
Handling Emergencies in Outpatient Care
Care Transitions and Follow-Up Contact
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 5: Supporting Clinicians and Building Sustainable Practice
Creating a Suicide-Aware Clinic Culture
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 6: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Editor: Emily Allen
Emily is a graduate of UNC Wilmington, where she earned an MSN in Nursing Education in 2021. She is an experienced perianesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse and has cared for a wide variety of inpatient and ambulatory surgical patients. Emily has served as a Charge Nurse in UNC’s Ambulatory Care PACU and holds her CPAN certification from the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC). Her passion for education has led her to a position as a content writer at Relias.
Reviewer: Bridgett Ross, PsyD
Bridgett Ross, Psy.D. received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Boston College and then her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University. She is a licensed psychologist in California and was in private practice for 13 years treating various issues including trauma, anxiety and mood disorders, grief/loss, and issues around self-concept, identity, and attachment. Having supervised pre-licensed and licensed clinicians, she maintains an interest in professional issues in the field of psychology. Dr. Ross’ training and work history include Children’s Hospital Chadwick Center for Children and Families, Kaiser Permanente, Alvarado Parkway Institute, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, which informed her focus on providing evidence-based trauma treatment to diverse populations.
Subject Matter Expert: Kiersten McCabe, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, ADHD-CCSP
Kiersten McCabe holds an MSN as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and a post-graduate certification in Psychiatry and Mental Health. She is board-certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and is a certified ADHD clinical services provider. Kiersten’s clinical background spans more than 20 years across labor and delivery, outpatient OB/GYN, nursing leadership, and clinical quality improvement for the psychiatry and OB/GYN service lines in a regional teaching hospital. She currently practices in an outpatient psychiatry private practice, providing comprehensive mental health care. Her professional interests include reducing mental health stigma and advancing technology integration into clinical practice. Kiersten brings her expertise to her role as a content writer and subject matter expert (SME) at Relias.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Advanced Practice Nurses; Medical Assistants; Medical Providers; Nursing Personnel; in the following settings: Ambulatory Care.
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All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.