scholarly journals Psychiatric trainees' experiences of, and reactions to, patient suicide

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Dewar ◽  
John Eagles ◽  
Susan Klein ◽  
Nicola Gray ◽  
David Alexander

Aims and MethodThis survey is the first UK study of trainee psychiatrists' experiences of patient suicide. One hundred and three senior and specialist registrars in psychiatry working in Scotland completed the questionnaire, representing an 81% response rate.ResultsAlmost half (47%) had experienced suicide of a patient in their care or otherwise known to them (e.g. through on-call experiences). Although only 28% recalled previous training on issues to consider following a suicide, all of these doctors found this to be of value. Many reported that patient suicide had a deleterious impact on their personal and professional lives. The most valuable supports were informal, and the trainees' consultants appeared particularly well placed to offer support and advice.Clinical ImplicationsMany trainee psychiatrists experience the suicide of a patient. Such experiences have potential for adverse effects on doctors' professional practice and personal life. Greater availability of training in this area would allow trainees to be better prepared for such an event. Trainees' consultants have a pivotal role to play in providing appropriate advice and support after a patient suicide.

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Linke ◽  
Jenny Wojciak ◽  
Samantha Day

Aims and MethodThe study investigated the personal impact of patient suicides on the members of community mental health teams and the sources of support utilised for coping with adverse effects.ResultsForty-four questionnaires were returned. Eighty-six per cent of staff reported having had at least one patient suicide, with an average of 4.2 suicides. The majority of staff reported that patient suicides had significant adverse effects on their personal and professional lives. Some of the effects were long-lasting (greater than 1 month). Staff found that peer support, reviews, dedicated staff meetings and support from senior colleagues were of most value.Clinical ImplicationsStaff require skilled and dedicated support following a patient suicide in order to minimise its detrimental effects on personal, professional and team functioning.


2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 136-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Landers ◽  
Sinead O'Brien ◽  
Darra Phelan

Aims and methodTo study the effects of patient suicide on both personal and professional life of consultant psychiatrists in Ireland. A questionnaire was sent to all practising consultants.ResultsMost respondents (80%) had experienced patient suicide in their careers; in up to 97% it had an impact on either their professional or personal life. The most common effects were preoccupation with the suicide and guilt. Unpredicted suicides and perceived effect on patients' families worsened the distress. Informal support was of most help, with a large proportion of study participants suggesting independent case review would be helpful.Clinical implicationsPatient suicide is an almost universally distressing event for psychiatrists. Although consultants receive psychological support from family and friends, many would also welcome an objective professional review.


2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 117-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Swift ◽  
I. Durkin ◽  
C. Beuster

Aims and MethodWe aimed to survey how psychiatrists with in-depth training in cognitive therapy use these skills. A postal questionnaire based on a previous survey was sent to all psychiatrists who are accredited members of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.ResultsThere was a 94% response rate. Psychiatrists in non-psychotherapy posts used formal cognitive therapy, with an average of 20% of new patients compared with 65% for those in psychotherapy posts, and were less satisfied with the extent to which they were able to use their skills (20%v. 80%). A total of 85% of respondents described themselves as being involved in teaching, training and supervision of cognitive therapy.Clinical ImplicationsUnless psychiatrists are planning on working in specialised psychotherapy posts, they are unlikely to use cognitive therapy training in formal therapy sessions. Further research is needed to determine whether cognitive therapy training for psychiatrists translates into improved outcomes for patients.


2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amer Khayatt

The global fight against corruption has gained momentum in the last two decades when its adverse effects on national economies, professional practice and the promotion of democracy and governance, have become clear. Yet the Arab region remained resistant towards these efforts. This paper traces the steps that have been taken to introduce an indigenous initiative in this regard and reports on developments which have been put in place in Arab countries to combat corruption.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 524-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Raimo ◽  
Sean LaVine ◽  
Kelly Spielmann ◽  
Meredith Akerman ◽  
Karen A. Friedman ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background  Residents and practicing physicians displaying signs of stress is common. It is unclear whether stress during residency persists into professional practice or is associated with future burnout. Objective  We assessed the persistence of stress after residency and its correlation with burnout in professional practice. We hypothesized that stress would linger and be correlated with future burnout. Methods  A prospective cohort study was conducted over 10 years using survey instruments with existing validity evidence. Residents over 3 academic years (2003–2005) were surveyed to measure stress in residency. Ten years later, these residents were sought out for a second survey measuring current stress and burnout in professional practice. Results  From 2003 to 2005, 143 of 155 residents participated in the initial assessment (92% response rate). Of those, 21 were excluded in 2015 due to lack of contact information; follow-up surveys were distributed to 122 participants, and 81 responses were received (66% response rate and 57% of original participants). Emotional distress in residency correlated with emotional distress in professional practice (correlation coefficient = 0.45, P < .0001), emotional exhaustion (correlation coefficient = 0.30, P = .007), and depersonalization (correlation coefficient = 0.25, P = .029). Multivariate linear regression showed that emotional distress in residency was associated with future emotional distress (β estimate = 0.57, P = .005) and depersonalization (β estimate = 2.29, P = .028). Conclusions  We showed emotional distress as a resident persists into individuals' professional practice 10 years later and has an association with burnout in practice.


2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 130-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Mears ◽  
Tim Kendall ◽  
Cornelius Katona ◽  
Carole Pashley ◽  
Sarah Pajak

Aims and MethodThis survey gathered data on the retirement intentions of consultant psychiatrists over the age of 50 years, in order to address retention issues. A questionnaire was sent to all 1438 consultants over this age in the UK.ResultsA total of 848 questionnaires were returned, an adjusted response rate of 59%. The mean age at which consultants intended to retire in this sample was 60 years (s.d. 4.16), suggesting a potential loss of 5725 consultant years. Reasons for early retirement are complex: factors encouraging retirement include too much bureaucracy, lack of free time and heavy case-loads; those discouraging retirement include enjoyment of work, having a good team and money. Mental Health Officer status is an important determinant in the decision to retire early.Clinical ImplicationsWith numerous vacancies in consultant psychiatrist posts throughout the UK, premature retirement is a cause for concern, possibly contributing to an overall reduction in consultant numbers of 5%. Addressing factors that influence consultants' decisions to leave the health service early should form an important part of an overall strategy to increase consultant numbers.


2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 421-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey Rees ◽  
Attila Sipos ◽  
Matthew Spence ◽  
Glynn Harrison

Aims and MethodWe aimed to survey clinicians' attitudes on using evidence-based guidelines. A postal questionnaire based on a previous survey of general practitioners was sent to 105 psychiatrists working within Avon and Western Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.ResultsThere was a 91% response rate. Respondents were generally in favour of clinical guidelines, with scores indicating a positive attitude to guidelines in 13 of the 18 statements. The majority felt that guidelines were effective in improving patient care, could be used flexibly to suit individual patients and did not impinge on their clinical judgement.Clinical ImplicationsPsychiatrists welcomed the increasing use of guidelines. Further research is needed to determine whether this will translate into actual use and improved outcomes for patients.


2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Escudero-Castaño ◽  
M.A Perea-García ◽  
J Campo-Trapero ◽  
Cano Sánchez ◽  
A Bascones-Martínez

Background.The oral an perioral piercing has a long history as part of religious, tribal,cultural or sexual symbolism and nowdays there is a high incidence of oral and perioral piercing in the adolescent population. This practice has a long history as part of religious, tribal, cultural or sexual symbolism. This article reviews current knowledge on injuries or diseases that might be produced by piercing in the oral cavity. We propose a classification to diagnosed the pathologies related to oral an perioral piercingMethods.A search was conducted of articles in PubMed, Scielo published between 1997 and 2007, using the key words ``oral and perioral, piercing ´´, ``oral, piercing and disease”, ``recessions and oral piercing´´. It has reviewed about twentythree articles 17 were narrative reviews and 6 case seriesResults.A review was carried out on the origins of oral and perioral body piercing and its local implications, classifying the different alterations like recessions, systemic implications that it can produce in the oral and perioral cavity.Conclusion.Patients with oral and perioral piercing should be regularly followed up because of the possible development of different types of adverse effects.Clinical implications.Adverse effects of oral and perioral piercing can be systemic, with transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B or C, or can be local, with alteration of oral mucosae or even of dental structures.


2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 293-295
Author(s):  
Alan Smith ◽  
James Warner

Aims and MethodPharmaceutical advertising material can confuse clinical and statistical significance. We used a brief questionnaire (five questions) to evaluate psychiatrists' appreciation of this difference. This approximated to the level of critical appraisal competence of the MRCPsych part 3 examination.ResultsOf the 113 questionnaires distributed 93 were returned complete (response rate 82%). Senior trainees were significantly better than junior trainees at correctly interpreting data (mean score (maximum 5) 2.61v.2.08; P = 0.04). Consultants did less well than senior trainees, although our sample of consultant respondents was too small for significance testing.Clinical ImplicationsLearning critical appraisal for the MRCPsych examination may provide psychiatrists with valuable transferable skills and prevent gaps in our knowledge being exploited by misleading study data. Psychiatrists of all grades need to maintain their research appraisal skills and should not regard the MRCPsych examination as the end of their learning.


2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (08) ◽  
pp. 295-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Wildgoose ◽  
Martin Briscoe ◽  
Keith Lloyd

Aims and Method To determine psychological morbidity among staff following actual or threatened violence from patients on acute psychiatric wards. A retrospective survey of all 156 clinical staff on Exeter's acute psychiatric wards was conducted by means of an anonymous questionnaire using standardised measures. Results The response rate was 81%, and 72% of respondents had experienced one or more distressing incidents of actual or threatened violence within the previous year. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire and Impact of Events Scale scores were significantly higher in those who reported exposure to ‘frequent’ violent incidents. Clinical Implications Some National Health Service staff may be harmed psychologically when they are at work. This consequently may have implications for patient care, employer liability and recruitment.


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