Part-time working in psychiatry in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Aims and MethodTo establish the proportion of psychiatrists in Northern Ireland who currently work part-time and the proportion of those working fulltime who wish to work part-time. A postal questionnaire was forwarded to psychiatrists and repeated 30 months later.ResultsIn 2004, only 18.3% of respondents were working part-time, and 26.8% in 2006. A great majority stated their intent was to always work part-time, the most frequent reason being to achieve work–life balance.Clinical ImplicationsA significant number of staff working part-time will have implications for the staffing of the service. Policy makers must plan for the adequate provision of part-time working arrangements.