title: Suicide by patients: questionnaire study of its effect on consultant psychiatrists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the effect of patients' suicide on consultant psychiatrists in Scotland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Confidential coded postal questionnaire survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 315 eligible consultant psychiatrists, 247 (78%) contributed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scotland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experience of patient suicide; the features and impact of "most distressing" suicide and what helped them to deal with it.
  
  
  RESULTS
  167 (68%) consultants had had a patient commit suicide under their care. Fifty four (33%) reported being affected personally in terms of low mood, poor sleep, or irritability. Changes in professional practice were described by 69 (42%) of the psychiatrists-for example, a more structured approach to the management of patients at risk and increased use of mental health legislation. Twenty four (15%) doctors considered taking early retirement because of a patient's suicide. Colleagues and family or friends were the best sources of help, and team and critical incident reviews were also useful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suicide by patients has a substantial emotional and professional effect on consultant psychiatrists. Support from colleagues is helpful, and professional reviews provide opportunities for learning and improved management of suicide and its aftermath.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health, Medical School, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD. d.a.alexander@abdn.ac.uk
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Dewar
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Eagles
mesh_terms: D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011364:Professional Practice; D011570:Psychiatry; D012606:Scotland; D013405:Suicide