This research was conducted at a federal university with the aim of understanding better the visions, values and attitudes of resident physicians at medical practices in relation to suicide. The study drew on the concept of social representation (Moscovici) and employed the mixed method of discourse of the collective subject (DCS) (Lefèvre and Lefèvre). The discussions revealed that, although aware of the suicide issue, residents were not familiar with the specialist literature or with the Ministry of Health and WHO standard procedures in such cases. The residents revealed difficulties in identifying and providing care for high suicide risk patients. It is concluded that both university and residency medical training require a greater emphasis on the topic of suicide.
Suicide; Resident Physicians; Medical Degree; Prevention
