International Journal of Social Psychiatry

 

Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Mcivor, R. J.
Right arrow Articles by Davies, L.
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Mcivor, R. J.
Right arrow Articles by Davies, L.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54, No. 4, 350-357 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764008090690

Stalking Behaviour By Patients Towards Psychiatrists in a Large Mental Health Organization

Ronan J. Mcivor

Maudsley Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, London, ronan.mcivor{at}slam.nhs.uk

Laurence Potter

Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, London

Lisa Davies

Odgers, Ray & Bernstein, London

Background: Mental health professionals are at greater risk than the general population of being stalked, particularly by patients.

Aims: To assess the prevalence of stalking behaviour by patients towards psychiatrists and ascertain patient characteristics.

Method: Semi-structured questionnaire to all psychiatrists (n = 324) working in a large mental health organization.

Results: The response rate was 61% (n = 198). Forty-one doctors (21%) reported having been stalked by patients, the majority being consultants (n = 31; 76%). No sub-speciality was over-represented. Most stalkers (n = 24; 59%) were male with a diagnosis of personality disorder (39%) or major mental illness (34%). Duration of stalking ranged from several weeks to 16 years, and most commonly occurred at work. On average, victims experienced two types of inappropriate contact. Physical threats were made against 14 psychiatrists (34%).

Conclusions: Stalking by patients towards psychiatrists is common and represents an important occupational risk. Formal training programmes and policy development within healthcare organizations may help manage risk.

Key Words: harassment • mental health organizations • psychiatrists • stalking


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?