RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a training course for ED staff aiming to improve knowledge and skills in working with mental health and drug/alcohol patients attending EDs. METHODS: Pre- and postcourse questionnaires assessed attitudes and self-ratings of confidence, knowledge and skills in working with these patients. Follow-up interviews assessed if new skills or approaches to patient management had been integrated into daily ED practice. RESULTS: Little change was observed in the course participants' attitudes, although reported attitudes were generally appropriate. Self-ratings of confidence in skills and knowledge showed a significant improvement on all questions following the course. Responses to the follow-up interviews suggest course information has been retained and integrated into practice, especially in conducting triage and other assessments and taking more time to talk to patients. CONCLUSION: The course has led to staff feeling more confident and competent to help mental health or drug/alcohol patients who attend the ED.
Asunto(s)
Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital , Servicios de Urgencia Psiquiátrica , Capacitación en Servicio , Trastornos Mentales/terapia , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/terapia , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Cuerpo Médico de Hospitales/educación , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/educación , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Australia del SurRESUMEN
The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) is a psychometric instrument widely used internationally to assess the presence of pathological gambling. Developed by Lesieur and Blume (1987) in the United States of America (USA) as a self-rated screening instrument, it is based on DSM-III and DSM-III-R criteria. This paper describes the origins and psychometric development of the SOGS and comments critically in relation to its construct validity and cutoff scores. Reference is made to the use of the SOGS in the Australian setting, where historically gambling has been a widely accepted part of the culture, corresponding to one of the highest rates of legaliZed gambling and gambling expenditure in the world. An alternative approach to the development of an instrument to detect people who have problems in relation to gambling is proposed.