All work? A day in the life of geriatric psychiatrists

A pilot study of old age psychiatrists' workloads was carried out using a list of old age psychiatrists compiled by the Section of Old Age Psychiatry, Royal College of Psychiatrists. Respondents gave details of their working hours and practices on one day in 1992. As a group old age psychiatrists worked long hours and continued to work after returning home, with little time for personal study and research. If confirmed in a larger study, the findings are of concern in relation to health of the workforce, and need to be considered in relation to ‘manpower’ recommendations, requirements for continuing medical education and supportive staffing, and work patterns.