What do we Teach Psychiatric Residents About Suicide? A National Survey of Chief Residents

This study examined what topics involving the care of suicidal patients were taught to residents in psychiatry training programs. Chief residents of psychiatry training programs across the United States (response rate 59%) anonymously completed questions on what & how the care of suicidal patients was taught. Topics that required more attention & barriers to teaching were also identified. A vast majority of the national programs (91%) offered formal teaching on suicide care. Even topics commonly taught were judged to warrant more attention. Commonly identified barriers to teaching included the lack of audio or visual teaching materials & relevant texts. Only 19% of chief residents reported feeling prepared for the possibility of having to manage the aftermath of a patient suicide. (17 refs.)