Leo Sher, M.D.

A poster entitled, “Homicides of physicians and mental health workers” was presented at the 6th Biennual Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference that was held in Florence, Italy on April 4-8, 2018.

The author conducted a systematic search for information on homicides of mental health workers between 1981 and 2014, and of physicians between 1981 and 2017. 33 homicides of mental health workers and 30 cases of homicides of physicians were found.

Among mental health workers, young women caseworkers who were alone during visits to residential treatment facilities were the most frequent victims. Among physicians, psychiatry was the most likely specialty of the victims: 37% of murdered physicians were psychiatrists. Most homicides took place in physicians’ offices (33%). The most frequent method of homicide was by gunshot.

Reference

1. Knable M. Homicides of physicians and mental health workers. 6^th Biennual Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference. Florence, Italy. 4-8 April 2018. Schizophrenia Bulletin, Volume 44, Issue suppl_1, 1 April 2018, Page S274, https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sby017.671