When depression becomes terminal: the impact of patient suicide during residency.
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.
Biermann
Bernard
B
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, USA. biermannbj@msx.upmc.edu
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*