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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| One day in the life of old age psychiatrists in the United Kingdom | | Author(s) | Susan Mary Benbow, David Jolley |
| Journal title | International Psychogeriatrics, vol 25, no 6, June 2013 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, June 2013 |
| Pages | pp 1023-1032 |
| Source | journals.cambridge.org/ipg |
| Keywords | Mental health [elderly] ; Mental disorder ; Psychiatrists ; Job requirements ; Job satisfaction ; Stress ; United Kingdom. |
| Annotation | The provision of mental health care for older people will become increasingly important with rising demand related to global demographic changes. This study aimed to identify changes in work patterns of UK consultant old age psychiatrists between 1993 and 2012. A link to an online questionnaire was circulated to consultant old age psychiatrists through the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry, Royal College of Psychiatrists. In all 210 usable responses were received. On the survey day 71% of old age psychiatrists arrived at work before 9 am and 40% left work after 6 pm. Over one-third (35%) worked for another hour or more at home. The range of activities was broader than previously reported. Administrative activity was undertaken by over 60% and acute ward work by only 26%. Few consultants reported time in long-stay care or day hospitals. Outpatient activity included Memory Clinics and Health Centre Clinics. The main stressors reported by consultants were lack of resources and pressures from management-imposed, financially driven service changes. Relationships with people at work (including patients and their families) and outside work were the main identified support. Overall findings of the study showed that consultants' working hours have changed little since 1997 but the range and emphases of activities have changed. Changes in service organisation are stressful and consultants are supported by relationships with colleagues and patients. Work patterns are changing in response to demands and constraints on the speciality. Research is needed into service design and work patterns, which can provide humane care in the current economic climate. (JL). |
| Accession Number | CPA-130531228 A |
| Classmark | D: E: QT9: WJA: WL5: QNH: 8 |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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