Australian exercise physiology student attitudes and knowledge towards people living with mental illness

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-205
Author(s):  
Hamish Fibbins ◽  
Philip Ward ◽  
Robert Stanton ◽  
Jeanette Thom ◽  
Amanda Burdett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Exercise Physiology ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Training Requirements ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Knowledge ◽  
Physiology Students

Purpose Physical activity is increasingly recognised as critical to improving physical and mental health (MH). Understanding the education and training requirements of exercise professionals will support better integration of these emerging MH professionals within the multidisciplinary MH team. The purpose of this study was to determine the exposure to, knowledge and attitudes of final year exercise physiology students towards people with mental illness (MI). Design/methodology/approach Student exposure to and knowledge and attitudes of people living with MH were assessed via a 24-item online questionnaire. Findings In total, n = 63 out of 78 eligible students participated (81%). Of the participants, 81% (n = 51) showed a favourable attitude towards people with MI and 68% (n = 43) of participants had good knowledge of topics relating to MI. Significant correlations existed between the total score for attitude and any exposure to MH issues and having undertaken placement as part of university training and knowledge and total scores. Further training and education are needed to better equip exercise physiology graduates to work with people with MI. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the attitudes and knowledge of exercise physiology students towards people living with MI and their association with exposure to MI. Given the growing number of exercise professionals being integrated into multidisciplinary MH teams, this study may help to direct the delivery of associated training and education services.

Dentistry students’ views about mental illness and impact of a targeted seminar on knowledge and attitudes: a mixed-method study

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Patterson ◽  
Pauline Ford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to inform education of non-mental health professionals who provide care to people with severe mental illness; to describe dentistry students’ knowledge and views about mental illness, including willingness to engage in various social situations with a person hospitalised for mental illness; and to assess and understand the impact of a targeted lecture on views and attitudes. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employed mixed methods to examine dental students’ knowledge and views about mental disorder before and after a seminar covering mental disorder, disadvantage and oral health. Findings from a bespoke questionnaire administered to third-year dental students were triangulated with qualitative data gathered in interviews with a subsample. Findings – Students understood mental disorder broadly, employing diverse causal models. Although knowledge was typically grounded in media stereotypes, attitudes were benevolent and most students reported willingness to provide dental care to affected individuals. The seminar, especially the consumer delivered section, was valued and associated with increased appreciation of the impact of mental disorder on oral health and need for assertive action to promote access to care. However, students reported being reluctant to disclose their own mental health problems for fear of being considered a professional or personal failure. A minority knew how to seek support if a friend talked of suicide. Research limitations/implications – This study highlights the need for further investigation of the knowledge and attitudes of dentistry students pertinent to provision of care to people with mental illness and to examine the links between attitudes and practice. The paper also provides a useful foundation for development of brief educational interventions, particularly the value in integrating the service user perspective, and their evaluation. Research should also examine the impact of mental health education on practice. Practical implications – A single inexpensive educational session, such as the one the paper developed may support reconsideration of often unconscious views of mental illness which might affect practice. Social implications – If people with mental illness are to receive equitable access to health care, non-mental health professionals should be supported to develop knowledge and attitudes which are conducive to inclusive treatment. An education session such as this could be helpful. Originality/value – There is scant literature examining attitudes of dentistry students and no reports of mental health-specific education with this population.

Perceptions of mental illness in the Somali community in Minnesota

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekah Pratt ◽  
Ayan Fadumo ◽  
Mikow Hang ◽  
Sirad Osman ◽  
Nancy Raymond
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Assets ◽  
Somali Immigrants ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Somali immigrants are a strong, vibrant community in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. However, the legacy of resettlement and the challenges of adjustment can lead to complex physical and mental health challenges. The Somali community is considered to be underserved, particularly with regard to mental health, but the health system must understand the perception of mental health in the Somali community in order to address current disparities. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative research drew on the Social Ecological Model (SEM) and was conducted with the goal of learning more about how mental illness is perceived in the Somali community living in Minnesota. Four focus groups were held, with a total of 35 participants, 19 female and 16 male. Findings – Several main themes emerged from the data. The community’s foundations of the perceptions of mental health inform and shape their perspective on mental illness, including the way mental illness is defined. Historical experiences, the impact of trauma, strong religious beliefs, and stigma toward mental illness influenced both the perceived causes of mental illness and views on seeking treatment. Originality/value – This research suggests there is value in drawing on the SEM to as the perception of mental illness is both layered, and shaped by the Somali community’s historical and social context. Forming community partnerships that address concerns about mental illness are essential next steps toward improving mental health in the Somali community. These partnerships should build on existing community assets, particularly religious leaders.

Confidence levels of exercise physiology and dietetic students’ pre- and post-practicum within mental health facilities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Griffen ◽  
Oscar Lederman ◽  
Rachel Morell ◽  
Hamish Fibbins ◽  
Jackie Curtis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Exercise Physiology ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Mental Health Setting ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to examine student exercise physiologists (EPs) and student dietitians’ confidence regarding working with people with severe mental illness (SMI) pre- and post-practicum in a mental health service. Design/methodology/approach This single-arm, quality improvement project included students completing practicum within a lifestyle programme embedded in mental health services. Student EPs completed 100 h of practicum across 15 weeks as part requirement for their Bachelor of Exercise Physiology degree and student dietitians completed six weeks full-time (40 h/week) for the part requirement of their Master of Nutrition and Dietetics. Students completed the Dietetic Confidence Scale (terminology was adapted for student EPs) pre- and post-practicum. Findings In total, 27 student EPs and 13 student dietitians completed placement and returned pre- and post-practicum questionnaires. Pre-practicum confidence scores were 90.8 ± 17.1 and 86.9 ± 18.9 out of a possible 140 points for student EPs and student dietitians, respectively. Confidence scores increased substantially post-practicum for both student EPs [mean difference (MD) = 29.3 ± 18.8, p < 0.001, d = 1.56] and dietitian students (MD = 26.1 ± 15.9, p = 0.002, d = 1.64). There were significant improvements in confidence across all domains of the confidence questionnaire for both EPs and dietitian students. Originality/value There is a research gap in understanding the confidence levels of student EPs’ and student dietitians’ when working with people with mental illness and the impact that undertaking a practicum in a mental health setting may play. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore student EP and student dietitian confidence in working with people with SMI pre- and post-practicum in a mental health setting.

Fool’s Gold: Psychologists Using Disingenuous Reasoning to Mislead Legislatures into Granting Psychologists Prescriptive Authority

2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-524
Author(s):  
Brent Pollitt
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
American Psychological Association ◽  
The United States ◽  
Psychotropic Medications ◽  
American Psychological ◽  
Training Requirements ◽  
Prescriptive Authority

Mental illness is a serious problem in the United States. Based on “current epidemiological estimates, at least one in five people has a diagnosable mental disorder during the course of a year.” Fortunately, many of these disorders respond positively to psychotropic medications. While psychiatrists write some of the prescriptions for psychotropic medications, primary care physicians write more of them. State legislatures, seeking to expand patient access to pharmacological treatment, granted physician assistants and nurse practitioners prescriptive authority for psychotropic medications. Over the past decade other groups have gained some form of prescriptive authority. Currently, psychologists comprise the primary group seeking prescriptive authority for psychotropic medications.The American Society for the Advancement of Pharmacotherapy (“ASAP”), a division of the American Psychological Association (“APA”), spearheads the drive for psychologists to gain prescriptive authority. The American Psychological Association offers five main reasons why legislatures should grant psychologists this privilege: 1) psychologists’ education and clinical training better qualify them to diagnose and treat mental illness in comparison with primary care physicians; 2) the Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project (“PDP”) demonstrated non-physician psychologists can prescribe psychotropic medications safely; 3) the recommended post-doctoral training requirements adequately prepare psychologists to prescribe safely psychotropic medications; 4) this privilege will increase availability of mental healthcare services, especially in rural areas; and 5) this privilege will result in an overall reduction in medical expenses, because patients will visit only one healthcare provider instead of two–one for psychotherapy and one for medication.

Socio Demographic and Clinical Profile of Indoor Female Patients of RINPAS

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Rajni Suri ◽  
Anshu Suri ◽  
Neelam Kumari ◽  
Amool R. Singh ◽  
Manisha Kiran
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional

The role of women is very crucial in our society. She cares for her parents, partner, children and other relatives. She performs all types of duties in family and also in the society without any expectations. Because of playing many roles, women often face many challenges in their life including both physical and mental. Mental health problems affect women and men equally, but some problems are more common among women including both physical and mental health problems. Aim of the study - The present study is aimed to describe and compare the clinical and socio-demographic correlates of female mentally ill patients. Methods and Materials: The study includes 180 female mentally ill patients based on cross sectional design and the sample for the study was drawn purposively. A semi structured socio-demographic data sheet was prepared to collect relevant information as per the need of the study. Result: The present study reveals that the socio-demographic factors contribute a vital role in mental illness. Findings also showed that majority of patients had mental problems in the age range of 20-30 have high rate. Illiterate and primary level of education and daily wage working women as well as low and middle socio-economic status women are more prone to have mental illness. Other factors like marital status, type of family and religion etc also important factors for mental illness. Keywords: Socio demographic profile, female, psychiatric patient

Development of Core Clinical Learning Competencies for Australian Exercise Physiology Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Raymond ◽  
Rebecca Sealey ◽  
Fiona Naumann ◽  
Kieron Rooney ◽  
Timothy English ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Lifestyle Modification ◽  
Exercise Physiology ◽  
Clinical Learning ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Clinical Placements ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Learning Competencies ◽  
Physiology Students

ABSTRACT Background: Clinical placements and assessment are an essential part of education to become a health professional. However, quality assessment in a clinical environment is challenging without a clear representation of what constitutes competence. The aim of this study was to establish core clinical learning competencies for Australian exercise physiology students. Methods: This study used a mixed-methods, multiphase approach. The competencies were developed following electronic surveys and focus groups, with additional refinement provided by the project team. Preliminary validation was conducted via electronic survey where (i) participants rated the importance of each unit of competency for entry-level practice, and (ii) participants who had recently graduated (n = 23) rated the extent to which they perceived they were competent in each unit. Results: The competencies are described as 19 elements organized into 6 units. The units are (i) communication, (ii) professionalism, (iii) assessment and interpretation, (iv) planning and delivery of an exercise and/or physical activity intervention, (v) lifestyle modification, and (vi) risk management. Of 126 survey participants, the majority (93%–98%) considered each unit as being important for entry-level practice. The majority (78%–95%) of recent graduates considered themselves competent in each unit, suggesting the competencies are articulated around the level of a new practitioner. Conclusion: The core clinical learning competencies resulted from an extensive, iterative process involving those with expertise in the area. The competencies have a range of applications, including informing the development of a student placement assessment tool for use in a clinical placement environment.

scholarly journals Food for thought: the importance of nutritional well-being during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
L. Burke-Furey ◽  
F. McNicholas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Current Experience ◽  
Roll Out

Individuals with mental illness have poorer physical health, nutritional status, and lowered life expectancy. Optimising their physical and nutritional status has become an increasingly important therapeutic goal. Current experience with COVID-19 has further emphasised the susceptibility to physical illness and poorer outcomes amongst individuals with mental illness and those who are nutritionally compromised. Although life as we knew it has been suspended until the widespread roll-out of a vaccine, individuals can take immediate action to improve physical and mental health by attending to and optimising their nutritional well-being. Clinicians within mental health services have a crucial role to play in assisting such change, and reminding their patients of the importance of pursuing a healthy and balanced diet.

Home Health Care of Veterans

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-54
Author(s):  
Jan Cook
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Home Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Home Health ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Support Resources

This commentary familiarizes the reader with prevalent issues regarding home health care of veterans. The primary issue is the unfamiliarity of the caretaker—most often a family member—in understanding benefits, and accessing social support resources. Frequently caretakers experience depression resulting from the stress of the situation; therefore, their physical and mental health needs must be addressed. There is a need for increased training and education of health care workers, social workers, and caregivers, so that concerted support is present for veterans requiring home health care.

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