title: Confidence in the face of risk: the Risk Assessment and Management Self-Efficacy Study (RAMSES).
abstract: Aims and method To evaluate a comprehensive risk management programme. A Risk Assessment and Management Self-Efficacy Scale (RAMSES) was used to evaluate the impact of a clinical guideline and training course. Fifty-three psychological therapists were randomly allocated to training v. waiting list in a controlled, delayed-intervention design. Differences in mean self-efficacy scores between groups were examined using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results The RAMSES measure had adequate factor structure, internal consistency and construct validity. When adjusting for baseline scores and cluster design, the group exposed to training had a higher mean self-efficacy score than controls. Mean differences between groups were not significant after the control group received training, nor at 6 months' follow-up. Clinical implications Exposure to training and clinical guidelines can improve self-efficacy in risk assessment and management. An important advance put forward by this study is the specification of areas of competence in risk assessment and management, which can be measured using a psychometrically sound tool.
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Mental Health Service, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Delgadillo
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Mental Health Service, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Moreea
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Mental Health Service, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Outhwaite-Luke
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Mental Health Service, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Toby
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dace
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Mental Health Service, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Mental Health Service, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramseyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of York.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dale