Frequency of Suicide on Gotland After Systematic Postgraduate Education of General Practitioners

18 GPs in Gotland were invited to attend a 2 yr (1983-84) educational program to increase knowledge about diagnosis & treatment of patients with affective disorders. From 1982-84, the suicide rate on Gotland did not differ greatly from Sweden’s overall rate, however in 1985 the suicide rate on Gotland dropped significantly below the figure for Sweden as a whole. This decline may be related to the GP’s increased knowledge & to changes in treatment policies because of the educational program.