The experience of patient suicide among trainees in psychiatry

Aims and Method We set out to ascertain how common this is for psychiatric trainees in South Thames and the effects it has, if any. An anonymous postal questionnaire was circulated to 400 trainees. Results Of the 400 trainees, 203 (51%) responded and 109 (54%) of the respondents had had one or more patient suicide and 168 suicides were reported.We judged the effect of the suicide on the doctor to be moderate or severe in 126 (75%) of the 168 suicide events. Clinical Implications Patient suicide must have a higher profile in training. Formal systems need to be created to provide support and education in this area.