HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS British Journal of Psychiatry Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cryan, E. M. J. Articles by McCaffrey, B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Cryan, E. M. J. Articles by McCaffrey, B.

The experience of patient suicide among Irish psychiatrists

James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin and Honorary Lecturer in Clinical Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Paul Kelly, Tutor in Psychology

University College, Dublin

Brian McCaffrey, Consultant Psychiatrist

St. Vincent's Hospital, Fairview, Dublin 3, Republic of Ireland

One hundred and nine consultant psychiatrists completed an anonymous questionnaire on the suicide of patients in their care. A patient suicide was reported by 82%, of whom 47% had experienced their first patient suicide within five years of entering psychiatric practice. A formal review of the suicide had occurred In 24% of cases. The study examines the perceived effects of their first patient suicide on the professional practice of the respondents, and measures the personal stress related to it, using the Impact of Event Scale. We discuss the implications of this common experience for psychiatric training programmes.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Fothergill, D. Edwards, and P. Burnard Stress, Burnout, Coping and Stress Management in Psychiatrists: Findings from a Systematic Review International Journal of Social Psychiatry, March 1, 2004; 50(1): 54 - 65. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F. Yousaf, M. Hawthorne, and P. Sedgwick Impact of patient suicide on psychiatric trainees Psychiatr. Bull., February 1, 2002; 26(2): 53 - 55. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]