IMPACT OF PSYCHIATRY POSTINGS ON ATTITUDES TOWARDS MENTAL ILLNESSES AND PSYCHIATRY - A COMPARATIVE STUDY DONE ON MEDICAL AND NURSING STUDENTS

Abstract

Context (Background): Attitudes to psychiatry and mental illness among medical undergraduates are key factors in determining their choice of psychiatry as a career and willingness to deal with psychiatric disorders in general practice. Aims: To measure impact of psychiatry teaching in terms of change in attitudes towards psychiatry and mental illness in medical students and nursing students. Methods and Material: The sample consisted of 164 participants and consists of two groups, one of undergraduate medical students and nursing students with no exposure to psychiatry postings and second group of medical and nursing interns. Participants completed two questionnaires, Attitude towards Psychiatry (ATP 30) questionnaire and Attitudes towards Mental Illness questionnaire (AMI). Results: Psychiatric education appeared to significantly positively influence the attitudes of medical and nursing students towards psychiatry; however, influence on change in attitude towards mental illness was not significant. Conclusions: Psychiatric education appeared to positively influence the attitudes of medical and nursing students. However, we suggest radical changes in psychiatric education for undergraduate medical and nursing students so that it also leads to a positive change in outlook towards mental illnesses.