A Review of Systematic Reviews: Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention with a Focus on Effectiveness and Findings.

OBJECTIVES: Suicide prevention gatekeeper training (GKT) is considered an important component of an overall suicide-prevention strategy. The primary aim of this study was to conduct the first robust review of systematic reviews of GKT to examine the overall effectiveness of GKT on knowledge, self-efficacy, attitudes, behavioral intentions, and behavioral change. The study also examined the extent to which outcomes were retained long term, the frequency of refresher sessions, and the effectiveness of GKT with Indigenous populations and e-learning delivery. METHODS: For this review of reviews, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase; and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. ROBIS was applied to assess risk of bias and findings were synthesized using narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Six systematic reviews were included comprising 61 studies, of which only 10 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Immediate positive effects of GKT on knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy were confirmed, including for interventions tailored for Indigenous communities. Evidence was mixed for change in attitude; few studies measured e-learning GKT, retention of outcomes, booster sessions, behavioral intentions, and behavioral change, with some positive results. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence supports the immediate effects of GKT but highlights a need for more high-quality RCTs, particularly for Indigenous and e-learning GKT. This review identified a concerning lack of long-term follow-up assessments at multiple time points, which could capture behavioral change and a significant gap in studies focused on post-training interventions that maintain GKT effects over time.

This first review of systematic reviews for GKT confirmed positive effects for GKT, although mixed evidence exists for changes in attitude.Very few studies include long-term measurement of retention of outcomes and what facilitates retention.There is an urgent need for more research into the effectiveness of GKT with Indigenous populations and e-learning GKT.

Empowering Pacific Patients on the Weight Loss Surgery Pathway: A Co-designed Evaluation Study.

PURPOSE: Despite having the highest medical needs by population for weight loss treatment, Pacific patients in Aotearoa New Zealand face substantial levels of attrition in publicly funded weight loss surgery programs. In collaboration with the Auckland City Hospital bariatric surgery team, a Pacific-led preoperative weight loss surgery program was co-designed, delivered, and evaluated between 2020 and 2023. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-arm, prospective co-designed evaluation study that took place at Auckland City Hospital in Aotearoa New Zealand. Participants were Pacific patients (n = 14) referred to the weight loss surgery program. Survey and video diaries were analyzed to determine if the program had the potential to increase Pacific patient retention through the preoperative stage of weight loss surgery, increase surgery completion rates, and improve the quality of treatment experiences. RESULTS: Nine out of 14 participants attended all preoperative sessions. Six participants subsequently underwent weight loss surgery. Program components that had positive impacts on patient success and satisfaction were accessibility, information quality, having Pacific role models, cultural safety, and the group support system. The patients found the program to be culturally anchored and there was support for the implementation of the program going forward. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated how a culturally anchored intervention can increase patient retention for those patients who may not respond to mainstream treatment. Adjusting existing preoperative weight loss surgery programs to integrate Pacific-led models of healthcare has the potential to increase Pacific patient resiliency to follow through with surgery.

Preoperative bariatric surgery programme barriers facing Pacific patients in Auckland, New Zealand as perceived by health sector professionals: a qualitative study.

Minority ethnic patient groups typically have the highest bariatric surgery preoperative attrition rates and lowest surgery utilisation worldwide. Eligible patients of Pacific Island ethnicity (Pacific patients) in New Zealand (NZ) follow this wider trend. OBJECTIVES: The present study explored structural barriers contributing to Pacific patients' disproportionately high preoperative attrition rates from publicly-funded bariatric surgery in Auckland, NZ. SETTING: Publicly-funded bariatric surgery programmes based in the wider Auckland area, NZ. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews with health sector professionals (n=21) were conducted.Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. RESULTS: Two primary themes were identified: (1) Confidence negotiating the medical system, which included Emotional safety in clinical settings and Relating to non-Pacific health professionals and (2) Appropriate support to achieve preoperative goals, which included Cultural considerations, Practical support and Relating health information. Clinical environments and an under-representation of Pacific staff were considered to be barriers to developing emotional safety, trust and acceptance of the surgery process with patients and their families. Additionally, economic deprivation and lower health literacy impacted preoperative goals. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals' accounts indicated that Pacific patients face substantial levels of disconnection in bariatric surgery programmes. Increasing representation of Pacific ethnicity by employing more Pacific health professionals in bariatric teams and finding novel solutions to implement preoperative programme components have the potential to reduce this disconnect. Addressing cultural competency of staff, increasing consultancy times and working in community settings may enable staff to better support Pacific patients and their families. Programme structures could be more accommodating to practical barriers of attending appointments, managing patients' preoperative health goals and improving patients' health literacy. Given that Pacific populations, and other patients from minority ethnic backgrounds living globally, also face high rates of obesity and barriers accessing bariatric surgery, our findings are likely to have broader applicability.

Factors associated with preoperative attrition in bariatric surgery: a protocol for a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery results in substantial medical and economic benefits; however, independent studies typically report high patient preoperative attrition rates. Studies have identified individual characteristics and sociodemographic variables of those who complete the surgery compared to those who do not. The aim of the present protocol is to outline a systematic review focussed on identifying the sociodemographic, medical, cultural, psychological, and patient-led factors affecting preoperative attrition in clients who were enrolled in bariatric surgery programmes. METHODS/DESIGN: The databases Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and MEDLINE will be searched for retrospective, prospective, and cross-sectional observational studies that have identified any sociodemographic, medical, cultural, psychological, and patient-led factors affecting preoperative attrition in clients who are enrolled in a bariatric surgery programme. English-language articles published between 1997 to 2020, inclusive of adults 18 years or older, will be included in the review. This protocol has been registered in PROSPERO, registration number; CRD42017068557. DISCUSSION: Presently, there are studies and reviews investigating population-based utilisation and access to bariatric surgery; however, there is a need to review the reasons behind preoperative bariatric surgery patient attrition once selected for bariatric surgery. The results of the review will highlight potential systematic disparities in patient attrition, where gaps in knowledge remain for further investigation, and suggest areas where countermeasures may be focussed for decreasing attrition rates. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42017068557.