Effects of Interview Training with Simulated Patients on Suicide, Threat, and Abuse Assessment

Mental health practitioners as often not provided sufficiently effective interview training to assess for suicidality (Schmitz et al. 2012), to evaluate for abuse (Young et al. 2001), or to respond effectively to suicidal risk (Mackelprang et al. 2014). The current study examined the efficacy of general interview training using simulated patients to increase clinician competency in assessing for threats to self or others and abuse. Data were collected from doctoral clinical psychology students, who received weekly instruction for a number of interview-relevant topics. Each participant completed pre- and post-test videotaped interviews with simulated patients. The interviews evaluated using the Skills in Psychological Interviewing: Clinical Evaluation Scales. In addition, all participants completed the Suicidal Ideation Response Inventory, Second Edition at pre- and post-test to assess their skill in responding to suicidal clients. Paired samples t-tests were used to determine differences in trainees’ skills before and after the training. The tests revealed significant increases in competence for all assessment skills (p<.001) as well as for response to suicidal verbalizations (p<.001). Present findings suggest broad spectrum training with simulated patients has significant implications for the efficacy of future clinicians. The implications of using simulated patients is also discussed. Keywords: Training, Suicide, Abuse, Assessment, Competency