Coping strategies of psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees following patient suicide and suicide attempt: A national cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia.

Journal: PloS one

Volume: 19

Issue: 3

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  Psychiatry Residency Joint Program, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. College of Medicine, Qassim University, Al-Mulida, Saudi Arabia. Pediatric Residency Program, Maternity and Children Hospital, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract summary 

A patient's suicide or suicide attempt is a challenging experience for psychiatrists. This study aimed to explore the common coping strategies and habits developed by psychiatrists/trainees following such incidents. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among participants in Saudi Arabia. The study enrolled 178 participants, of whom 38.8% experienced a patient's suicide, 12.9% experienced a patient's severe suicide attempt, and 48.3% did not encounter any suicidal events. The most frequently utilized sources of support were colleagues (48.9%), team discussions (41.3%), and supervisors (29.3%). Only 21.4% received formal education in coping with a patient's suicide. Approximately 94.9% reported a lack of support systems within their institution. The study highlighted the coping strategies most commonly employed by psychiatrists/trainees and revealed that the majority of participants reported no changes in their daily habits. The findings underscore the need for a structured support system and formal educational resources to address the existing deficit. Mental health organizations must take action to ensure adequate resources for healthcare providers.

Authors & Co-authors:  Alawad Alammari Almanea Alhumaid Alkhalifah Alosaimi

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  WHO. WHO, Suicide, Fact sheets. 2021. Available: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
Authors :  6
Identifiers
Doi : e0300004
SSN : 1932-6203
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States