Physician’s Attitudes Toward Suicide & Their Influence on Suicide Prevention

A questionnaire to 116 physicians working in hospital departments assessed their attitudes, emotions and understanding toward suicidal patients. The study concluded that the physicians lack knowledge in regards to the etiology, symptomatology and psychotherapy of suicidal behaviour. The physicians themselves reported a latent suicidality 2 to 5 times more than the normal population. The authors express an urgent need for education in this area.