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Predictors of a healthy workplace for Swedish and English psychiatrists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Sarah Thomsen ,
Janie Dallender ,
Joaquim Soares ,
Peter Nolan  and
Bengt Arnetz
Sarah Thomsen*
Affiliation:
National Institute for Psychosocial Factors and Health, Stockholm
Janie Dallender
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham Medical School, Department of Nursing
Joaquim Soares
Affiliation:
Center for Psychosocial Research, Stockholm
Peter Nolan
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham Medical School, Department of Nursing
Bengt Arnetz
Affiliation:
National Institute for Psychosocial Factors and Health, Stockholm
*
S. Thomsen, National Institute for Psychosocial Factors and Health, Box 230, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: 46 8 728 70 10; Fax: 46 8 33 43 96; e-mail: Sarah.Thomsen@ipm.ki.se
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Abstract

Background

Few studies have attempted to analyse the organisational aspects of the workplace that may affect the well-being of psychiatrists and even fewer have offered insights into what a positive workplace might look like. This study provides an outline of such a workplace, with reference to individual and organisational factors. In addition, a comparison is made between two European cities to check for cultural differences.

Method

Three hundred and eighty psychiatrists from Stockholm and Birmingham responded to a previously tested questionnaire on their work environment.

Results

Predictors of a positive workplace for psychiatrists were: high self-esteem, satisfactory support with work-related problems, lower perceived workload, positive view of leadership, low work-related exhaustion and having a sense of participation in the organisation. There were few cultural differences.

Conclusions

Measures should be taken to improve leadership skills for managers, to offer more support for work-related problems, and to allow psychiatrists to participate more in the organisation.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 173 , Issue 1 , July 1998 , pp. 80 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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