A. Fothergill

Stress, Burnout, Coping and Stress Management in Psychiatrists: Findings from a Systematic Review

Background: Research into stress among psychiatrists has attempted to identify stressors, which can lead to physical illness and psychological distress. Aims: The aim of the study was systematically to review the current evidence for the effectiveness of stress management interventions for those working in the psychiatric profession. Method: A systematic review of the current literature was conducted into stress and stress management within the profession of psychiatry. Results: Twenty-three international studies were included in the psychiatry section of the review. Psychiatrists report a range of stressors in their work, including stress associated with their work and personal stresses. One personal stress, which psychiatrists find very difficult to cope with is patient suicide. Coping strategies include support from colleagues and outside interests. No studies evaluated the use of stress-management interventions for psychiatrists. Conclusions: Psychiatry is a stressful profession. Psychiatrists identified several stressors in their professional and personal lives.

A systematic review of stress among mental health social workers

English In the UK mental health social workers reported role conflict, role ambiguity and fulfilling statutory responsibilities as possible sources of stress. Burnout was related to workload, degree of involvement with patients, lack of social support and role conflict. Further work, which investigates coping strategies and stress management interventions, is recommended. French Au Royaume-Uni, les travailleurs sociaux en santé mentale signalent un problème de conflit de rôle, de l’ambiguïté de rôle et des responsabilités statutaires en tant que sources possibles de stresse. L’épuisement professionnel (burnout) a été lié à la charge de travail, au niveau d’implication auprès des patients, au manque d’appui social et aux conflits de rôle. L’article souligne la nécessité d’entreprendre d’autres études sur les stratégies employées pour gérer et maîtriser le stresse. Spanish En el Reino Unido, los trabajadores sociales en el área de salud mental nos informan que el conflicto y la ambigüedad de roles, así como las responsabilidades estatutarias son posibles causas de estrés. El desgaste profesional (burnout) fue relacionado con la cantidad de trabajo, el grado de envolvimiento con los pacientes, la falta de apoyo social y el conflicto de roles. Se recomienda la investigación de estrategias ‘para arreglárselas’ (‘coping strategies’) e intervenciones para controlar el estrés.

Setting up a mental health service user research group: a process paper

It is claimed that the involvement of mental health service users in research remains fragmented, and expertise in involving service users is still developing. This paper explains how a group of mental health service users and carers formed a Research Development Group in Wales. This is a process paper which describes how the group was established and funded as part of the United Kingdom Clinical Research Networks. It explores the rationale for a Mental Health Service User and Carer Partnership Research Development Group and the challenges experienced in setting up the group, including activities such as a current research project. This project involves collaboration between group members and nurses from a local National Health Service Trust, which is helping to build research capacity. This project is used to illustrate the issues raised, and we provide critical reflections of this process. The power balances that posed challenges to a group of this type are explored and ways to overcome them are suggested. The research group is still in its infancy but has aspirations to move from being a user involvement group to a user-led group incorporating the differing viewpoints and promoting an equal contribution from its members.