Changing undergraduate attitudes to mental illness

Summary Background Promoting positive experiences of patient contact during psychiatry clerkships may be important in influencing medical students' attitudes to people with mental illness. Here we report findings from a focus group study that explored the impact on undergraduate attitudes of pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The clinical teacher 2016-02, Vol.13 (1), p.58-62
Main Authors: Bharathy, Arokiamary, Foo, Pei-Lynn, Russell, Vincent
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Clinical Clerkship - organization & administration
Education, Medical, Undergraduate - organization & administration
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Mental Disorders - psychology
Psychiatry - education
Self Efficacy
Social Participation
Social Support
Students, Medical - psychology
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Summary:Summary Background Promoting positive experiences of patient contact during psychiatry clerkships may be important in influencing medical students' attitudes to people with mental illness. Here we report findings from a focus group study that explored the impact on undergraduate attitudes of participation in a novel social interaction programme for people with mental illness and their carers, provided by a non‐governmental organisation (NGO). Method An audio‐taped focus group interview was undertaken with 14 medical students using a semi‐structured interview guide. The recorded discussion was transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was performed. Results Initial apprehension about interacting with patients lessened as the students engaged in shared activities. Students described their increased awareness of the normality and competence of psychiatric patients. As future doctors, they reported a greater understanding of the benefits of social inclusion for patients and carers alike. Promoting positive experiences of patient contact … may be important in influencing medical students' attitudes to people with mental illness Discussion Medical students' joint participation in a group activity programme for people with mental illness in non‐hospital settings may have advantages in promoting positive attitudinal change. Clinical teachers could usefully incorporate this type of experience into the undergraduate psychiatry curriculum.
ISSN:1743-4971
1743-498X
DOI:10.1111/tct.12372