Psychology Interns as Patient Suicide Survivors: Incidence, Impact, and Recovery

The authors investigated incidence, impact & coping with patient suicide during training of psychology graduate students. 54 interns at the Boston VA (1983-1988) were surveyed. Trainees reported stress levels equivalent to that found in patient samples with bereavement & higher than that found with professional clinicians who had patient suicides. Preparatory efforts at suicide education were considered minimal & inadequate. Recommendations for assisting trainees are given.