PSYCHIATRIC DEPT.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29950, 11 October 1962, Page 12

PSYCHIATRIC DEPT.

“Expanding Case Load”

The expanding case load in the new department of psychological medicine at the Christchurch Hospital “apparently obeys a perversion of Parkinson’s Law,” says the head of the department (Dr. J. R. E. Dobson) in his annual report to the North Canterbury Hospital Board. In spite of efforts to control the load, it "has expanded well beyond the time available to the present staff for coping with it,” he explains. “Parkinson’s Law” asserts that the volume of work required to fulfil a certain task expands to fill the time available.

"In providing service, priority must be given to inpatients referred for consultation,” says Dr. Dobson. ’They come from an estimated 300 patients admitted annually primarily because of psychological illness, plus the steady stream ot probable suicidal attempts, those suffering from mental as well as physical illness, and a few of the many patients suffering from organic brain disease. There is also the interesting but time-consum-

ing group in whom psychological factors play, an important part in the management of their illness. "Though many of the steady stream of admissions due to drug overdosage appear at first sight to result from impulsive episodes and to be trivial, closer examination often reveals a family in crisis with a background of prolonged difficulties in which young children are often involved. The suicidal attempt or gesture is thus a signal of distress and an indication that the family is prepared to accept help. “There is evidence that, ait such times of crisis, changes towards a more healthy adjustment can be made more readily, and therefore these episodes present an opportunity for true preventive work with regard to the children. Unfortunately the necessary interview work, though economically fruitful, takes up more time than can be spared with present resources.”