Differences in Physicians’ and Nurses’ Recent Suicide Attempts: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of physicians’ and nurses’ suicide attempts (SA). A retrospective review of 493 medical records of physicians and nurses admitted to an inpatient unit for health professionals; 36 patients had a recent SA. Depression, cluster B and C personality disorders, and a history of previous SA were more prevalent in patients with a recent SA compared to those without it. Both professional groups preferred drug overdose as a suicide method. Physicians made more lethal attempts and had a history of more previous stressors than nurses. Depression, cluster B and C personality disorders, and previous SA should be appropriately screened and treated in order to prevent SA amongst physicians and nurses.

Keywords:

• suicide attempts
• physicians
• nurses

Additional information

Notes on contributors

María Dolores Braquehais

María Dolores Braquehais, Integral Care Program for Sick Health Care Professionals, Galatea Clinic, Department of Health of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain & Galatea Foundation, Collegi de Metges de Barcelona, and Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, CIBERSAM, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Francisco José Eiroa-Orosa

Francisco José Eiroa-Orosa, School of Psychology, University of East London, Water Lane, Stratford, United Kingdom.

Kristin M. Holmes

Kristin M. Holmes, Department of Psychiatry, James J. Peters’ Veterans Administration Medical Center and Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA.

Pilar Lusilla

Pilar Lusilla, Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, CIBERSAM, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Maria Bravo

Maria Bravo, Xulián Mozo, Integral Care Program for Sick Health Care Professionals, Galatea Clinic, Department of Health of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain & Galatea Foundation, Collegi de Metges de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Xulián Mozo

Maria Bravo, Xulián Mozo, Integral Care Program for Sick Health Care Professionals, Galatea Clinic, Department of Health of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain & Galatea Foundation, Collegi de Metges de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Marcela Mezzatesta

Marcela Mezzatesta, Child and adolescent Mental Health Unit, Fundació Orienta, Fundació Salut i Comunitat, Barcelona, Spain.

Marta Casanovas

Marta Casanovas, The Centre for Mental Health, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.

Tània Pujol

Tània Pujol, Integral Care Program for Sick Health Care Professionals, Galatea Clinic, Department of Health of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain & Galatea Foundation, Collegi de Metges de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Leo Sher

Leo Sher, Department of Psychiatry, James J. Peters’ Veterans Administration Medical Center and Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA.