Resources for Clinicians Following a Patient Perpetrated Homicide

RCP Support Page

A section on the RCP website which has been created to support psychiatrists during the difficult time when a patient under their care has perpetrated a homicide.

RCP College Report 
There is marked paucity of research in the area of the impact of patient-related homicide on clinicians. 
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● Most mental health professionals will experience a patient-related homicide at least once in their career.
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● Patient-related homicide has significant emotional and clinical impact on clinicians, including:
  • loss of confidence in professional skills and the ability to accurately assess risk, leading to anxiety about making clinical decisions
  • feelings of depression, anxiety, guilt and responsibility, shame, and self-doubt
  • professional and personal isolation, including experiences of scapegoating, are common
  • negative impact on relationships with other members of staff.

Resource booklets
Dr Rachel Gibbons