February 1, 2009

The suicide of a patient is a traumatic event in the life of a psychotherapist, and is often not talked about or studied for complicated reasons such as shame, stigma or fear of litigation.  This silence is remarkable since research suggests that up to 50% of clinicians will lose a patient to suicide in the course of their career. Dr. Tillman has spent the past decade studying the effects of patient suicide on clinicians using qualitative research methodology.

Dr. Tillman will present data from a study in which she interviewed psychotherapists who have had a patient commit suicide.  Eight themes common to this experience emerged from these data and help to outline the predictable responses of clinicians to such an event.  Understanding the acute and long-term consequences of patient suicide on professional identity and ongoing clinical practice will be reviewed.

Participants will learn about qualitative research methodology and  the existing literature on the impact of suicide on clinicians, and will have the opportunity to review their own experience and attitudes toward working with suicidal patients and responding to colleagues who have had a patient commit suicide. Understanding the potential effect of having a patient commit suicide may help the clinician anticipate the difficulties associated with this painful professional experience.

At the conclusion of this presentation participants will be able to: (1) evaluate the evidence base on the effect of patient suicide on clinicians; (2) demonstrate an understanding of basic qualitative research methodology: (3) practice consciousness of countertransference responses elicited by suicidal patients.