Abstract
Aims and MethodWe set out to ascertain how common this is for psychiatric trainees in South Thames and the effects it has, if any. An anonymous postal questionnaire was circulated to 400 trainees.ResultsOf the 400 trainees, 203 (51%) responded and 109 (54%) of the respondents had had one or more patient suicide and 168 suicides were reported.We judged the effect of the suicide on the doctor to be moderate or severe in 126 (75%) of the 168 suicide events.Clinical ImplicationsPatient suicide must have a higher profile in training. Formal systems need to be created to provide support and education in this area.
Highlights
Of the 400 trainees, 203 (51%) responded and 109 (54%) of the respondents had had one or more patient suicide and 168 suicides were reported.We judged the effect of the suicide on the doctor to be moderate or severe in 126 (75%) of the 168 suicide events
Patient suicide must have a higher profile in training
Having had personal experience of patient suicide we were interested to learn about the experience of other trainees in our region
Summary
Patient suicide must have a higher profile in training. Formal systems need to be created to provide support and education in this area. A study in Australia identified suicide of a patient as one of the principal adversities of training in psychiatry (Kozlowska et al, 1997). Having had personal experience of patient suicide we were interested to learn about the experience of other trainees in our region. What is the personal impact of the death? What support is available to the doctor? How common is it? What is the personal impact of the death? What support is available to the doctor?
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