Encountering Patient Suicide: a Requirement of the Residency Program Curriculum

In addition to supporting the call for educational programs to help psychiatry residents after a patient suicide, the authors recommend similar supports in medicine & surgery residency programs as unexpected deaths are encountered by these residents. Like psychiatrists who may feel a suicide means professional failure, physicians may also believe an unanticipated death is a reflection on their competence. Patient death can adversely & directly affect a physician’s professional development. Appropriate training could help all residents understand & address their feelings after an unexpected patient death. (8 refs)