A witness seminar: the development of old age psychiatry in Britain, 1960 - 1989. Themes, lessons and highlights

Hilton, C., Arie, T. and Nicolson, M. (2010) A witness seminar: the development of old age psychiatry in Britain, 1960 - 1989. Themes, lessons and highlights. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(6), pp. 596-603. (doi: 10.1002/gps.2380)

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Abstract

<p><b>Objective:</b></p> <p>To create a record of the development of old age psychiatry in Britain, as seen through the eyes of some of the people who participated in building it, from the earliest days until it was officially recognised as a specialty by the Department of Health in 1989.</p> <p><b>Method:</b></p> <p>Group reminiscences and discussions in the format of a witness seminar which was audio-recorded and transcribed. Witnesses also provided written biographical information.</p> <p><b>Results:</b></p> <p>The annotated full record created at the seminar is available on line. This paper reflecting themes, lessons and highlights has been derived from it.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b></p> <p>Early old age psychiatrists often encountered opposition and incredulity from other health care professionals and managers. However, their experiences were demonstrating just how much could be achieved in improving the lives of older mentally ill people. They conveyed their enthusiasm for their work in both clinical and university settings. Clinical creativity, support when working in relative professional isolation, and dealing with opposition benefited from both the development of the Group for the Psychiatry of Old Age at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and from close links with geriatric medicine.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Nicolson, Professor Malcolm
Authors: Hilton, C., Arie, T., and Nicolson, M.
Subjects:R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing
College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Economic and Social History
Journal Name:International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0885-6230
ISSN (Online):1099-1166
Published Online:12 October 2009
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2010 Wiley

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