%0 Journal Article
%T Dealing with suicidal patients ¨C a challenging task: a qualitative study of young physicians' experiences
%A Tordis H£¿if£¿dt
%A Anne-Grethe Talseth
%J BMC Medical Education
%D 2006
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1472-6920-6-44
%X Thirteen newly educated physicians narrated their experiences with suicidal patients. The interview text was transcribed and interpreted using a phenomenological-hermeneutical method inspired by Ricoeur's philosophy.Three main themes and ten themes were noted: Striving for relatedness: relating with the patient; not being able to relate with the patient; Intervening competently: having adequate professional knowledge; performing professionally; having professional values; evaluating one's own competence; and Being emotionally involved: accepting one's own vulnerability; feeling morally indignant; feeling powerless and accepting one's own fallibility. The recently educated physicians clearly described the variety of emotional and ethical dilemmas that arose in meeting suicidal patients and the professional challenge facing this clinical situation. The findings were interpreted in the perspective of communication, clinical decision-making and attention to the professional's emotional reactions.An examination of the experiences of young physicians treating suicidal patients reveals three main themes that were a professional challenge for them: Striving for relatedness, Intervening competently and Being emotionally involved. Support for young practitioners that are treating these patients is likely important both to facilitate learning and also for their own well-being. This increased understanding can open up for the patient's suffering and affirm the patient's sense of life. The study provides additional background for educators designing training programs for physicians who will be treating suicidal patients.Dealing with suicidal patients represents one of the most challenging clinical situations for young physicians. Suicide is a major public health problem. It is among the top three causes of death in the population aged 15¨C34 years worldwide [1]. In Norway the number of suicides increased from 8 to 16 per 100000 mean population from 1970 to 1988 [2]. A National Pl
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/6/44