TY - JOUR PY - 2003// TI - When depression becomes terminal: the impact of patient suicide during residency JO - Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry A1 - Biermann, Bernard SP - 443 EP - 457 VL - 31 IS - 3 N2 - 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
LA - en SN - 1546-0371 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/jaap.31.3.443.22130 ID - ref1 ER -