The role of the doctor when a patient commits suicide

Campbell, Colin; Fahy, Tom

doi:10.1192/pb.26.2.44

Cited by 36 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Notably, "self-relevant" may also be interpreted in the career context, such that a death with legal implications (e.g., suicide) is likely to be more associated with heightened emotions (Campbell & Fahy, 2002;Hendin et al, 2000) than a nonlegally implicated death.…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coping with client death: Using a case study to discuss the effects of accidental, undetermined, and suicidal deaths on therapists.

Veilleux¹

2011

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

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Over one-quarter of psychologists and psychiatrists will lose a client to suicide, and the impact of suicide on therapists is profound. Therapists report both personal (e.g., emotional) and professional (e.g., fears of litigation, doubts about competency) reactions to client suicide, and these reactions are thought to be pronounced for therapists-in-training. However, little is known about the effect of nonsuicidal client deaths on therapists, especially how the experience of a client suicide might compare with other forms of unanticipated client death, such as accidental injuries (e.g., car accidents) or deaths of undetermined intent. The current article reviews family members' bereavement responses based on differential death classification, as well as therapist reactions to suicidal deaths. A case study of undetermined death will be described in light of the extant literature on therapists' coping responses to suicide, including reflections on emotional and professional implications to a nonsuicidal death. A recent social psychological model of adaptation to emotional experiences (Wilson & Gilbert, 2008) will be used as a theoretical framework to discuss how death by suicide may be construed in comparison to undifferentiated and/or accidental deaths, with a focus on informing sorely needed future research in this area.

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Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coping with client death: Using a case study to discuss the effects of accidental, undetermined, and suicidal deaths on therapists.

Veilleux¹

2011

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

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“…They highlight that doctors in the UK who need more formal assistance can look to the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the National Counselling Ser vice for Sick Doctors. Campbell & Fahy (2002) also address the role of the doctor following a patient's suicide and point out that effects on the psychiatrist may be compounded by an obligation to address the needs of other team members (e.g. psychiatric trainees).…”

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

When a patient dies by suicide: incidence, implications and coping strategies

Foley¹,

Kelly²

2007

Adv. psychiatr. treat

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Patient suicide is a relatively common event: 50–70% of consultant psychiatrists and 40–50% of psychiatric trainees have experienced at least one patient suicide. Patient suicide can have significant personal and professional effects on psychiatrists, including increased stress, social withdrawal, disruption to relationships, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and consideration of early retirement. Following patient suicide, psychiatrists derive most support from informal contacts with team members, family and friends; additional support may be available through formal support structures or local team initiatives. It is important to place appropriate emphasis on the effects of patient suicide in psychiatry training programmes; to maintain awareness of the importance of informal supports following patient suicide; to strengthen formal systems of support; to identify other potential forms of assistance (e.g. spiritual support); and to develop local team initiatives in this area.

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“…It has been seen that the suicide of a patient generates changes in health care workers both at their work and personal life. Significant among psychiatrists are feelings of professional failure, questions about their expertise, concerns about legal repercussions and changes in their professional practice (Campbell & Fahy, 2002;Grad & Michel, 2005;Grad, Zavasnik & Groleger, 1997;Hendin, Lipschitz, Maltsberger, Haas & Wynecoop, 2000;Henry, Séguin & Drouin, 2008;Horn, 1994). However, it has been shown that to the extent that physicians acquire greater professional experience, the guilt, low self-esteem and social withdrawal experienced after the suicide of a patient decreases (Chemtob et al, 1988).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post-traumatic symptoms in the staff of a mental health inpatient unit after the suicide of a patient: a case report in Chile

Figueroa¹,

León²,

Sorensen³

2016

Summa Psicológica

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BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have shown that the suicide of a patient can produce posttraumatic and depressive symptoms among the mental health care providers, who typically have high levels of baseline burnout. OBJECTIVES: To measure posttraumatic, depressive and burnout symptoms in the staff of an inpatient psychiatric unit after the suicide of a patient. METHODS: Two months after the suicide all the employees were invited to answer, anonymously, the Posttraumatic Check-List (PCL), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), for measuring posttraumatic, depressive, and burnout symptoms, respectively. RESULTS: Over 80% of the staff participated. A total of 17.1% had probable PTSD, 19.5% probable major depression, 24.4% and 14.6% high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, respectively, and 24.4% low levels of professional accomplishment. The group consisting of nurses, paramedic technicians, and nursing assistants ("nursing staff") had PTSD significantly greater than other workers (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Suicide in a psychiatric ward can produce posttraumatic and depressive symptoms among the staff, as high as another kind of traumas. The impact may be greater on the nursing staff. It is essential that organizations involved in the provision or teaching of mental health care incorporate this reality into their agenda, to prevent, mitigate and respond better to this phenomenon.

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The role of the doctor when a patient commits suicide

Cited by 36 publications

References 16 publications

Coping with client death: Using a case study to discuss the effects of accidental, undetermined, and suicidal deaths on therapists.

Coping with client death: Using a case study to discuss the effects of accidental, undetermined, and suicidal deaths on therapists.

When a patient dies by suicide: incidence, implications and coping strategies

Post-traumatic symptoms in the staff of a mental health inpatient unit after the suicide of a patient: a case report in Chile

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