Roy Krawitz1, Mike Batcheler. 1. Waikato District Health Board, Hamilton, New Zealand. roykrawitz@xtra.co.nz
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To conduct a pilot survey about clinician views on defensive practice when working with adults with borderline personality disorder. METHOD: All mental health clinicians from adult community, crisis and inpatient services of a district public mental health service who attended a routine team meeting completed a survey questionnaire (n = 29). RESULTS: Defensive practice was common, with 85% of clinicians having practised in the previous year in a manner that they believed was not in the best interests of their patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support clinical impressions of a significant gap between clinician views on best practice and actual practice. The potential importance of the findings warrants a comprehensive multicentred study.
OBJECTIVE: To conduct a pilot survey about clinician views on defensive practice when working with adults with borderline personality disorder. METHOD: All mental health clinicians from adult community, crisis and inpatient services of a district public mental health service who attended a routine team meeting completed a survey questionnaire (n = 29). RESULTS: Defensive practice was common, with 85% of clinicians having practised in the previous year in a manner that they believed was not in the best interests of their patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support clinical impressions of a significant gap between clinician views on best practice and actual practice. The potential importance of the findings warrants a comprehensive multicentred study.