Suicide and Psychiatric Education

The author's literature survey suggests that the incidence of suicide among psychiatric residents is probably similar to that among residents in other specialties and may not be very different from that of other males in the same age group. However, the problem merits attention not only because lives are being wasted, but because psychiatrists and other physicians are in short supply and their importance to the community is considerable. The author believes that efforts to prevent physician suicide should begin in medical school, where the students should explore their inner conflicts and unsatisfying social interactions. During their residencies psychiatrists should be helped to prepare themselves to endure the irrationalities of their patients and the burden of isolation in their professional practice.