Psychiatric trainees' experiences of, and reactions to, patient suicide

Ian Dewar,Susan Klein,David Alexander,Nicola Gray,John Eagles

doi:10.1192/pb.24.1.20

Ian Dewar, Susan Klein + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1192/pb.24.1.20

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Abstract

Aims and MethodThis survey is the first UK study of trainee psychiatrists' experiences of patient suicide. One hundred and three senior and specialist registrars in psychiatry working in Scotland completed the questionnaire, representing an 81% response rate.ResultsAlmost half (47%) had experienced suicide of a patient in their care or otherwise known to them (e.g. through on-call experiences). Although only 28% recalled previous training on issues to consider following a suicide, all of these doctors found this to be of value. Many reported that patient suicide had a deleterious impact on their personal and professional lives. The most valuable supports were informal, and the trainees' consultants appeared particularly well placed to offer support and advice.Clinical ImplicationsMany trainee psychiatrists experience the suicide of a patient. Such experiences have potential for adverse effects on doctors' professional practice and personal life. Greater availability of training in this area would allow trainees to be better prepared for such an event. Trainees' consultants have a pivotal role to play in providing appropriate advice and support after a patient suicide.

Highlights

Many reported that patient suicide had a deleterious impact on their personal and professional lives
Trainees'consultants have a pivotal role to play in providing appropriate advice and support after a patient suicide
(i) The critical incident review should not be a scapegoating exercise. This first UK study of the impact of patient suicide among psychiatrists in specialist training confirms some of the conclusions of previous work done overseas

Summary

RESULTS

Almost half (47%) had experienced suicide of a patient in their care or otherwise known to them Of the respondents 51% reported experience of suicide of a patient in their care and many found such experiences to be upsetting and to have an impact upon their professional and personal lives. Distressing experiences of patient suicide were related to psychiatrists being younger, having lower levels of training and having spent fewer years in psychiatry. Farrington, 1995), many NHS trusts have critical incident review procedures apparently designed both to address staff's emotional needs and to ascertain deficits in care or disciplinary issues. Are these procedures just paying lip-service to staff's needs? The non-clinical researchers (S.K. and N.M.G) were privy to this information, since it was necessary to identify respondents so that a repeat mailing could be sent to non-responders

Findings

Discussion

AIMS AND METHODS