Career Pathways In Psychiatry PDF Download

Research was conducted to examine the factors of drive, retention, and turnover for those working in inpatient psychiatry. Review of the literature identified a growing need for inpatient psychiatry, while also examining the factors that influence college and graduate students to follow an inpatient psychiatry career path. Unfortunately, very little was found for clinicians and counselors in inpatient psychiatry. Influential factors were identified including education and mental health experience. Review of the literature then examined factors of job satisfaction for those working in inpatient psychiatry, including external factors such as organizational, age, patient care, and self-care, and intemal factors such as mastery and control, dedication and engagement, and attitude. Factors for turnover were also explored for those who end up leaving their career in inpatient psychiatry. Burnout is discussed, as well as both extemal factors - organizational factors, quality of patient care, patient aggression and assault - and internal factors - posttraumatic stress, control and mastery, and moral distress. A qualitative study was conducted through the use of in-depth phenomenological interviews of professionals who have left or retired from an inpatient psychiatric unit, including a psychiatrist, two nurses, a technician, and a therapist. Interviews explored participant's understanding of mental illness, reasons for choosing a career in inpatient psychiatry, as well as factors that led to job satisfaction or reasons for leaving. Two core categories were identified in the data that influenced job satisfaction in inpatient psychiatry: patient care and systemic influences. Participants identified how their understanding of mental illness, quality of patient care, and patient difficulties played a role in the care they gave to patients, with both the positive and negative aspects that affected job satisfaction and intention to stay in their career. Similarly, systemic influences of administration, management, and relations played a part in both job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. With the lack of staff in behavioral health and the aging workforce, the current research is helpful in identifying ways to bring more people into the field and keep them satisfied with their job.