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Consultant psychiatrists' working patterns

Royal College of Psychiatrists Research and Training Unit, Standon House, 21 Mansell Street, London E1 8AA, email: alex.mears{at}virgin.net

Sarah Pajak, Research Worker and Tim Kendall, Deputy Director

Royal College of Psychiatrists Research and Training Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London

Cornelius Katona

Dean (1998-2003), Royal College of Psychiatrists, Institute of Psychiatry, London

Jibby Medina, Research Assistant

Royal College of Psychiatrists Research and Training Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London

Peter Huxley

Professor of Social Work, Institute of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London

Sherrill Evans, Research Coordinator and Claire Gately, ResearchWorker

Institute of Psychiatry, London

Declaration of interest

This project was funded by the Department of Health.

AIMS AND METHOD To explore relationships between different styles of working and measures of occupational pressure in consultant psychiatrists. A random sample of 500 consultant psychiatrists were sent a questionnaire about working patterns and lifestyle factors, with other sections using validated tools (such as the 12-item General Health Questionnaire; GHQ).

RESULTS There were 185 useable questionnaires returned (an adjusted response rate of 39%). Significant relationships were identified between job content and GHQ and burnout scores, indicating that occupational pressures are rendering some consultant posts ‘problem posts’, leading to problematic levels of psychological distress among some consultants.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Although consultant psychiatrists are more satisfied than not with their jobs, steps need to be taken to address the causes of ‘problem posts’, to reduce attrition in the most pressured individuals.