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Att finna sin plats som psykiatrikurator – En kvalitativ intervjustudie om hur kurativt arbete konstrueras inom allmänpsykiatrisk öppenvård för vuxna

Åström, Nikita LU and Ottander, Sara LU (2026) SAHS05 20261
School of Social Work
Abstract
This study aimed to examine how counsellors’ work is constructed within adult outpatient psychiatry from the perspective of counsellors, and how organisational and professional factors shape the construction. This was a qualitative study conducted through ten semistructured interviews with counsellors working in adult outpatient psychiatry at different clinics within Region Skåne. Theories concerning jurisdiction, semi-professions, and interprofessional teamwork were used to analyse the empirical material. The study found that counsellors’ work was not a fixed or clearly defined practice, but a dynamic and contextualized process where the work and role varied between different clinics and counsellors. The construction of counsellors’ work... (More)
This study aimed to examine how counsellors’ work is constructed within adult outpatient psychiatry from the perspective of counsellors, and how organisational and professional factors shape the construction. This was a qualitative study conducted through ten semistructured interviews with counsellors working in adult outpatient psychiatry at different clinics within Region Skåne. Theories concerning jurisdiction, semi-professions, and interprofessional teamwork were used to analyse the empirical material. The study found that counsellors’ work was not a fixed or clearly defined practice, but a dynamic and contextualized process where the work and role varied between different clinics and counsellors. The construction of counsellors’ work was shaped by the counsellors’ own agency as well as interprofessional collaboration, leadership, and structural conditions. The counsellors' professional experience, interest, and way of describing their function also shaped the construction of counsellors’ work. The results also showed that unclear responsibilities and limited interpretative prerogative could affect counsellors’ professional autonomy and opportunities to perform their work. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that counsellors’ work within adult outpatient psychiatry was shaped by both organisational and professional factors. Counsellors continuously negotiated their role, legitimacy, and area of responsibility in relation to other professions, the interprofessional team, and the organisational context. This study has therefore attempted to contribute to the understanding of counsellors’ work in adult outpatient psychiatry and highlight the need of continued research and dialogue regarding counsellors’ function, legitimacy, and future progress. (Less)
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author
Åström, Nikita LU and Ottander, Sara LU
supervisor
organization
course
SAHS05 20261
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
counsellor, counsellors’ work, adult outpatient psychiatry, teamwork, professional role
language
Swedish
id
9230186
date added to LUP
2026-06-05 13:45:09
date last changed
2026-06-05 13:45:09
@misc{9230186,
  abstract     = {{This study aimed to examine how counsellors’ work is constructed within adult outpatient psychiatry from the perspective of counsellors, and how organisational and professional factors shape the construction. This was a qualitative study conducted through ten semistructured interviews with counsellors working in adult outpatient psychiatry at different clinics within Region Skåne. Theories concerning jurisdiction, semi-professions, and interprofessional teamwork were used to analyse the empirical material. The study found that counsellors’ work was not a fixed or clearly defined practice, but a dynamic and contextualized process where the work and role varied between different clinics and counsellors. The construction of counsellors’ work was shaped by the counsellors’ own agency as well as interprofessional collaboration, leadership, and structural conditions. The counsellors' professional experience, interest, and way of describing their function also shaped the construction of counsellors’ work. The results also showed that unclear responsibilities and limited interpretative prerogative could affect counsellors’ professional autonomy and opportunities to perform their work. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that counsellors’ work within adult outpatient psychiatry was shaped by both organisational and professional factors. Counsellors continuously negotiated their role, legitimacy, and area of responsibility in relation to other professions, the interprofessional team, and the organisational context. This study has therefore attempted to contribute to the understanding of counsellors’ work in adult outpatient psychiatry and highlight the need of continued research and dialogue regarding counsellors’ function, legitimacy, and future progress.}},
  author       = {{Åström, Nikita and Ottander, Sara}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Att finna sin plats som psykiatrikurator – En kvalitativ intervjustudie om hur kurativt arbete konstrueras inom allmänpsykiatrisk öppenvård för vuxna}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}