title: Exploring the impact of suicide on clinicians:  a multidisciplinary retreat model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We developed an every other year, scheduled retreat model for clinicians and trainees to explore emotional and professional reactions that they may face after a patient's suicide.
  
  
  METHODS
  Psychiatry ambulatory clinical staff, residents, and faculty participated in a halfday retreat, which consisted of an opening panel discussion, in which panel members related their experiences of patient suicide, break out groups, and a final panel discussion. Unlinked preand post-retreat surveys were electronically sent to all potential participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pre-retreat survey was completed by 103 clinicians; 20% of the respondents were trainees or fellows, and 47% reported that they had experienced a patient suicide. Text responses to the pre-retreat survey reflected the wish to obtain a better understanding of the impact of patient suicide on caregivers, to cope with the event from a personal and professional standpoint, and to get a clearer understanding of what supports are available within the department. The post-retreat survey was completed by 45 clinicians. Comments after the retreat reflected an increased awareness of both shortand long-term effects on clinicians after a patient suicide and the extensive impact that a patient suicide can have on providers within their ambulatory care department.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An alldepartment ambulatory retreat model has value in providing clinicians with support and information in a structured, educational setting to help reduce the sense of stigma and provide an increased awareness of the magnitude of the impact on clinicians who experience the death of a patient by suicide.
authors: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Figueroa
authors: Gregory W
authors: GW
authors: Dalack
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*