Medical Students' Beliefs and Attitudes towards Schizophrenia before and after Psychiatric Training in Almaarefa Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Public surveys have shown that the general population has limited knowledge about mental illness and holds unfavorable attitudes towards the people who suffer from it in various, culturally diverse, countries. Aims: The aim of the present study was to explore medical students" beliefs and attitudes towards people with schizophrenia (PwS) prior to receiving any training in psychiatry and to assess the impact of the psychiatric placement on changing them. Methods: A questionnaire addressing beliefs, attitudes and desired social distance from PwS was distributed to all final year medical students before the beginning of their 4-week undergraduate psychiatric placement and upon its completion. Results: Students did not endorse stereotypes commonly attached to PwS, such as being dangerous, lazy or of lower intelligence, but they held the view that PwS are unpredictable and suffer from split personality. Furthermore, the baseline level of desired social distance was found to increase as the intimacy of the interaction increased, and the only variable associated with it was personal experience of serious mental illness. Moreover, the placement was found to have either no influence at all or in a negative direction. Upon its completion more students were found to believe that PwS couldn"t recover, have no insight into their condition, cannot make reasonable decisions, cannot work in regular jobs and are dangerous to the public. No difference was recorded in social distance scores. Conclusions: A close and critical examination of the various elements of the undergraduate placement in psychiatry is needed in order to develop an evidence based, fully rounded education with an anti-stigma orientation.

Health-care undergraduate student’s attitudes towards mental illness following anti-stigma education: a critical review of the literature

“…The study suggests slight positive changes were apparent to perceptions towards social distance, but these seemed to then decline at a one-month follow up. Moreover, studies focusing on medical students in a psychiatric placement with the exception of De Witt et al (2019) revealed an increase in stigmatising attitudes (Economou et al , 2012; Alhajri and Alghamdi, 2018). Economou et al (2012) found negativity to be notable in relation to beliefs about “dangerousness” and variables associated with gender appeared to also have some bearing, as female participants seemed to harbour greater negative attitudes.…”

“…The study by Roberts et al (2008) indicated single education sessions did not appear to influence student attitudes. Whilst acknowledging the changes in attitudes, the long term and temporal implications for change need to be considered (Bharathy et al , 2016; Burns et al , 2017; Alhajri and Alghamdi, 2018). However, the more recent study by Ma and Hseih (2020) indicated the positive effects remained for one year after the training was completed.…”

“…The former using the Mental Illness: Clinicians Attitudes Scale and the latter in part included Community Attitudes Towards Mental Illness Scale. In addition, some studies used a Social Distance Scale which measures attitudes to a range of factors (Wood and Wahl, 2006; Roberts et al , 2008; Economou et al , 2012; Burns et al , 2017; Alhajri and Alghamdi, 2018). Some developed and adapted instruments specific to their project (Altindag et al , 2006; Wood and Wahl, 2006; Mann and Himelein, 2008; Happell et al , 2014; Boucher and Campbell, 2014; Bannatyne and Stapleton, 2015).…”

Undergraduate Nursing Student Mental Health Clinical Experiences in Saudi Arabia: Findings From a Qualitative Study

“…However, in the Saudi context, medical students were found to either maintain or increase their desire for social distance from psychiatric practice after placement in contact with schizophrenia cases (Alhajri & Alghamdi, 2018). These findings may suggest that aspects of students’ beliefs or experiences before or during their placement are counterproductive to improving their acceptance of pursuing mental health as a field of practice.…”

Analisis Kualitatif Refleksi Diri Dokter Muda tentang Pembelajaran pada Stase Psikiatri di Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Jember/RSD Dr. Soebandi Jember

“…Situasi kondusif yang mendukung kepercayaan diri mahasiswa, pendekatan holistik tentang masalah psikiatri, serta pemahaman tentang keterkaitan psikiatri dengan ilmu lain ini pada akhirnya dapat berperan dalam destigmatisasi mahasiswa. Hal ini senada dengan Alhajri & Alghamdi (2018) yang menyebutkan bahwa situasi pembelajaran yang kondusif dan berorientasi anti-stigma dapat membantu mahasiswa untuk lebih dapat menghargai masalah kesehatan jiwa baik secara personal maupun profesional (Alhajri & Alghamdi, 2018). Penekanan penggunaan prinsip-prinsip neurosains dalam menjelaskan kasuskasus Psikiatri juga dapat mendukung proses destigmatisasi karena pendekatan ini membantu mahasiswa untuk memahami masalah Psikiatri sebagai masalah medis sebagaimana penyakit lainnya dan menurunkan kesan 'asing' dan 'aneh' dari Psikiatri (Porter-Stransky & Gallimore, 2022).…”