Citation

Gibbons R, Brand F, Carbonnier A, Croft A, Lascelles K, Wolfart G, Hawton K. BJPsych Bull 2019; 43(5): 236-241.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/bjb.2019.26

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Aims and method Death of patients by suicide can have powerful effects on psychiatrists. We report the findings of a survey completed by 174 psychiatrists on the effects of patient suicide on their emotional well-being and clinical practice, and the support and resources they felt would be helpful.

RESULTS and clinical implications The death of a patient by suicide usually had a major effect on respondents. Clinical practice was often negatively affected, and over a quarter of respondents considered a change of career path as a result. There were some gender differences in responses, with women reporting more sense of responsibility for the deaths and a greater effect on their clinical confidence. Desired support included a senior suicide lead clinician, support during formal post-suicide processes, opportunity for reflection on practice, information about resources to support families and help communicating with families and friends of the deceased.Declaration of interest K.L. is Nurse Consultant for Suicide Prevention at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. K.H. is a member of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England Advisory Group. G.W. offers independent workshops on working with suicidal patients. © 2019 The Authors.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; suicide; trauma; female; male; shock; decision making; family; psychotherapy; psychiatry; sex difference; anger; anxiety; post-traumatic stress disorder; shame; major clinical study; mental disease; clinical practice; psychiatrist; consultation; interpersonal communication; fear; groups by age; emotion; lifespan; guilt; work environment; career; friend; intellectual impairment; Article; thematic analysis; work experience; Patient suicide; sadness; psychological well-being; Likert scale; secondary health care; patient worry; multidisciplinary team