Muhammad Shahid.
Training research assistants for a deliberate self harm study.
J Pak Psych Soc Jan ;8(2):96-8.

The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of the research assistants before and after the training for a DSH study, going to be conducted in four tertiary care hospitals of Karachi Pakistan. Thirteen research assistants were trained for a study. The objective of the study for which they were getting the training was to determine the risk factors of patients presenting with DSH to the EDs of four tertiary care hospitals of Karachi. There were 9 medical gradates and 4 psychologists who were trained for four days. Training included lectures delivered by an Emergency Physician and a Psychiatrist, discussion of the protocol and questionnaire. Mock interviews were also a part of the training. A questionnaire containing 15 questions regarding “DSH and suicide in Pakistan” was given to the research assistants and they were asked to fill it before the start of the training. The same questionnaire was filled at the end of the training. The difference in knowledge was assessed through the scores of the test. These questions were related to definition of DSH, difference between DSH and suicide, numbers of suicides (according to WHO) by the year 2020, risk factors, age and gender, laws regarding DSH in Pakistan, symptoms of major depression, definition of psychological autopsy, methods used, differences in presentation to public and private sector hospitals, role ofEmergency Department care, cost of treatment of DSH in Pakistan. The mean age of research assistants were 23 (+/- 5) years. There were 11 females (84.6%). The mean scores before starting the session were 6/15 (40%) whereas the mean scores after training were 13/15 (86.6%). Most of the research assistants were unable to answer the questions related to the laws regarding DSH in Pakistan, definition of psychological autopsy, numbers of suicides (according to WHO) by the year 2020 and cost of treatment of DSH in Pakistan before the start of their training. The research assistants are lacking the knowledge related to DSH. Therefore they should be trained before starting the DSH studies in Pakistan

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