The Impact of Patient Suicide on the Professional Practice of Swiss Psychiatrists and Psychologists.

Abstract

Many psychiatrists and psychologists are likely to experience a patient suicide at a point in their professional career. The present paper examines the effects of patient suicide on psychiatrists' and psychologists' professional reactions and working practices and investigates factors that may affect the severity of repercussions on their professional lives. Data from 271 psychiatrists and psychologists working in various institutional settings and in private practice in French-speaking Switzerland were collected by a written questionnaire. Psychiatrists and psychologists reported a range of professional reactions and changes in working practices following a patient suicide. Professional reactions and changes in working practices were more significant among women. The length of therapy and the emotional closeness with the deceased patient were predictive of a greater impact. In contrast, social and psychological support served as a protective factor by reducing negative repercussions on professional practice. Finally, the impact of losing a patient to suicide did not differ between psychiatrists and psychologists in institutional settings and those in private practice. Although patient suicide affected the professional life of psychiatrists and psychologists, it also encouraged them to review and adjust their working practices.