Daniel O’Connor, FRANZCP
(Australia), Board of DirectorsI

Daniel O’Connor, FRANZCP, had a lifelong interest in research that led to Cambridge, England, where he was appointed Research Fellow at Hughes Hall, a postgraduate college, under the supervision of Sir Martin Roth, one of the earliest investigators of late-life mental disorder.

Prof. O’Connor was later appointed Professor of Psychogeriatrics to Heatherton Hospital in southeast Melbourne. Aged psychiatry was already established in Victoria, but he was privileged to contribute to a detailed state-wide plan that delivered specialist community, inpatient and residential care to older people in metropolitan, regional and rural areas. Other states in Australia have yet to match this achievement.

His work is varied. He directs a clinical service; teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students, and supervises a small team of researchers. Recent research projects have addressed carers’ responses to the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD); psychosocial treatments of BPSD; oestrogen as a treatment of aggression in elderly men with dementia; psychiatrists’ choices of treatments of BPSD; memory and ECT, and service provision. As well, Prof. O’Connor is currently chair of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age (FPOA), a part of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. The Faculty represents over 200 old age psychiatrists and advocates on behalf of patients and carers.

Dr. O’Connor has been an active member of IPA since 1989. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors. He can be contacted at daniel.oconnor@med.monash.edu.au.

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