Citation

Biermann B. J. Am. Acad. Psychoanal. Dyn. Psychiatry 2003; 31(3): 443-457.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, Publisher Guilford Publications)

DOI

10.1521/jaap.31.3.443.22130

PMID

14535612

Abstract

Patient suicide often results in profound personal and professional crises for the treating clinicians. Residency training in psychiatry represents a critical time for experiencing the death of patients by suicide. While residents often treat some of the most acutely ill, high-risk patients, during a uniquely vulnerable phase of professional development, many training programs do not have formalized procedures in place for aiding residents in the event of patient suicide. The working through of a suicide offers an opportunity for personal and professional growth. This paper examines this issue from the perspective of a resident-in-training who experienced the suicide of a long-term outpatient. Issues explored include personal and professional reactions to the patient's death as well as a discussion of the organizational response to the event.

Language: en

Keywords

Adaptation, Psychological; Depressive Disorder; Emotions; Humans; Internship and Residency; Life Change Events; Male; Middle Aged; Physician-Patient Relations; Psychiatry; Social Support; Suicide