Filling in the gaps: A grounded theory of the experiences and needs of healthcare staff following a colleague death by suicide in the UK.

Causer, Hilary; Spiers, Johanna; Chew-Graham, Carolyn A; Efstathiou, Nikolaos; Gopfert, Anya; Grayling, Kathryn; Maben, Jill; van Hove, Maria; Riley, Ruth

Abstract

Health-workers are more likely to die by suicide than their counterparts in other occupational groups. The suicide of a staff member can be widely felt by colleagues, leading to complex emotional and cognitive responses. Exposure to suicide heightens the risk of dying by suicide. We investigated the impact of a colleague suicide on National Health Service (NHS) staff. Twenty-nine staff were interviewed; all participants were white British, and so not representative of the ethnic make-up of the NHS. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methods. A theory, "filling in the gaps" was developed. Staff experiences gave rise to needs that were not always met. Staff endeavored to "fill in the gaps" in support; however, sometimes fell through those gaps. Organizational and professional contexts shaped their experiences and responses. Recommendations include skilled and targeted support and compassion for affected staff. Cultural change is needed to challenge suicide stigma and unhelpful narratives.

Citation

Causer, H., Spiers, J., Chew-Graham, C. A., Efstathiou, N., Gopfert, A., Grayling, K., …Riley, R. (in press). Filling in the gaps: A grounded theory of the experiences and needs of healthcare staff following a colleague death by suicide in the UK. Death Studies, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2024.2337202

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 11, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Apr 11, 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 29, 2024
• Journal: Death studies
• Print ISSN: 0748-1187
• Electronic ISSN: 1091-7683
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 1-12
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2024.2337202
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/799164