ALL WORK - A DAY IN THE LIFE OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRISTS

A pilot study of old age psychiatrists' workloads was carried out usin g a list of old age psychiatrists compiled by the Section of Old Age P sychiatry, 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 return ing home, with little time for personal study and research. If confirm ed in a larger study, the findings are of concern in relation to healt h of the workforce, and need to be considered in relation to 'manpower ' recommendations, requirements for continuing medical education and s upportive staffing, and work patterns.