1st Edition

Observing Organisations Anxiety, Defence and Culture in Health Care

Edited By R. D. Hinshelwood, Wilhelm Skogstad Copyright 2000

    Observing Organisations presents a unique approach derived from direct participant observation of small units within institutions, all in the health and social services sector.
    A range of contributors bring together the results of their own observational projects to show how they were able to come to a psychoanalytically informed understanding of the cultures that arise within healthcare organisations, and how this understanding can be used to overcome difficulties that arise.

    Acknowledgements. Preface. Obholzer, Foreword General Introduction. Hinshelwood, Skogstad, The Dynamics of Health Care Institutions. Hinshelwood, Skogstad, The Method of Observing Organisations. Observations in Mental Health Care. Donati, Madness and Morale: A Chronic Psychiatric Ward. Rees, Food for Thought: The Canteen of a Mental Hospital. Chiesa, At a Crossroads Between Institutional and Community Psychiatry: An Acute Psychiatric Admission Ward. Edwards, Mental and Physical Space: A Long Stay Psychiatric Ward. Morris, Tyrannical Equality: A Mental Health Hostel. Observations in General Health Care. Skogstad, Working in a World of Bodies: A Medical Ward. Maxwell, Nowhere to Hide: A Day Case Centre. Ramsey, Sitting Close to Death: A Pallative Care Unit. Conclusion. Hinshelwood, Skogstad, Reflections on Health Care Cultures. Bibliography. Index

    Biography

    R.D. Hinshelwood is Professor in the Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Essex, and was previously Clinical Director of the Cassel Hospital, London. Wilhelm Skogstad is a Consultant Psychotherapist at the Cassel Hospital and a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in private practice.