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Continuing the
discussion...
Old Age Mental Health Workforce
Global population aging with the associated increase in age-related
mental disorders poses a significant aged care workforce challenge
worldwide. No health discipline seems to be spared as many countries
struggle to train an adequate number of skilled health workers. IPA
is a multidisciplinary organization and has noted these mounting
concerns expressed by its member geriatric psychiatrists, nurses,
social workers, psychologists, primary care physicians and
occupational therapists.
To further our understanding and to outline the extent of the
problem, over the coming months the IPA website will feature a
series of articles on the old age mental health workforce.
Geriatric Workforce Crisis
The first of these articles was prepared by Jeff Lyness, immediate
past president of the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP)
and an IPA member. He explores the reasons for the dwindling
geriatric psychiatrist workforce in the United States along with
some thoughts about ways forward. <read
article>
The Old Age Psychiatry Paradox
The second article in this series is authored by Carlos de Mendonça
Lima, a member of the IPA Board of Directors since 2004 and a leader
within the Old Age Psychiatry Section of the World Psychiatric
Association (WPA). Entitled The Old Age Psychiatry Paradox, Dr. Lima
presents the compelling challenge of a highly knowledgeable and
competent community of psychogeriatric professionals caring for the
growing old age population with the limited investment and support
from authorities. <read article>
We welcome your thoughts and perspectives on this important issue in
the field. Please tell us what you think by responding to
membership@ipa-online.org
so that we may continue the dialogue on the issues raised. |
