TY - JOUR
T1 - The RANZCP Workforce Report
T2 - Action is needed, now
AU - Looi, Jeffrey C.L.
AU - Wilkes, Fiona
AU - Allison, Stephen
AU - Maguire, Paul A.
AU - Kisely, Steve
AU - Bastiampillai, Tarun
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2024.
PY - 2024/7/21
Y1 - 2024/7/21
N2 - Objective: The RANZCP conducted an anonymous survey of 7200 members (trainees and psychiatrists) in December 2023, receiving 1269 responses, representing the views of roughly 1 in 6 members, and of the respondents, three quarters reported experiencing burnout in the last 3 years. We provide a commentary, citing evidence from relevant previous research, discussing the implications and proposing potential interventions. Conclusions: Members of the RANZCP reported worsening workforce shortages, with 9 in 10 respondents stating that these negatively impacted patient care, and 7 in 10 experiencing symptoms of burnout. Eighty per cent identified workforce shortages as the top contributing factor to such burnout. The aetiology of workforce shortages and burnout is likely due to operational and structural shortfalls in psychiatric services. However, public and private sector employment information was not included in the report. There are a range of strategic, evidence-based interventions to address the psychiatrist and trainee workforce challenges, comprising general healthcare service as well as specific initiatives. Based on the findings of the report, such interventions are needed, now.
AB - Objective: The RANZCP conducted an anonymous survey of 7200 members (trainees and psychiatrists) in December 2023, receiving 1269 responses, representing the views of roughly 1 in 6 members, and of the respondents, three quarters reported experiencing burnout in the last 3 years. We provide a commentary, citing evidence from relevant previous research, discussing the implications and proposing potential interventions. Conclusions: Members of the RANZCP reported worsening workforce shortages, with 9 in 10 respondents stating that these negatively impacted patient care, and 7 in 10 experiencing symptoms of burnout. Eighty per cent identified workforce shortages as the top contributing factor to such burnout. The aetiology of workforce shortages and burnout is likely due to operational and structural shortfalls in psychiatric services. However, public and private sector employment information was not included in the report. There are a range of strategic, evidence-based interventions to address the psychiatrist and trainee workforce challenges, comprising general healthcare service as well as specific initiatives. Based on the findings of the report, such interventions are needed, now.
KW - Burnout
KW - Moral injury
KW - Psychiatrist
KW - Trainee
KW - Workforce
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85199909587&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/10398562241265592
DO - 10.1177/10398562241265592
M3 - Article
C2 - 39033500
AN - SCOPUS:85199909587
SN - 1039-8562
VL - 32
SP - 450
EP - 453
JO - Australasian Psychiatry
JF - Australasian Psychiatry
IS - 5
ER -