Consultant psychiatrists’ perspectives on occupational stress in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)

BACKGROUND: Occupational stress is increasingly recognised as key factor contributing to service quality, safety, and worker wellbeing, with clinician providers most at high risk. OBJECTIVES: To explore work-related stressors among consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists working in CAMHS. METHODS: Fifty-two consultants completed an online questionnaire with free-text entries describing factors contributing to occupational stress in CAMHS in Ireland. RESULTS: Content analysis indicated that consultants’ perception of working conditions revolved around six factors: organisational factors, human resources, adequacy of services, professional relationships, socio-political factors, and public perception. Both adequate skilled staff and funding, identified by 54% and 34% of respondents, were viewed as essential factors associated with occupational wellbeing, the most often cited concern (raised by 56% consultants) which contributed to occupational stress was of widespread public misunderstanding of CAMHS’ remit. CONCLUSIONS: Given decades of under-resourcing, ensuring adequate levels and expertise of staffing in the post-COVID-19 era must become a reality. However, less obvious and equally important is that of correcting any public misperceptions regarding CAMHS “core” business to ensure that available scarce resources are utilised most effectively, and that staff stress levels are minimised. To achieve this, active engagement between service users, providers and planners must be undertaken.