scholarly journals A consumer-led intervention to improve pharmacists' attitudes toward mental illness

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel M. Rickles ◽  
Alison DaCosta

Abstract Introduction: Individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness often manage complex medication regimens and would benefit from support and education from their pharmacist. Past research has shown that community pharmacists have negative attitudes toward mental illnesses, and these attitudes affect willingness to provide services to patients with mental illnesses. Consumer-led interventions have shown benefit to improve student attitudes toward mental illness. However, there are no known studies showing the benefit of consumer-led educational programs to improve pharmacist attitudes toward mental illness and willingness to provide services to those with mental illnesses. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of a consumer-led continuing education program on pharmacists' attitudes toward and willingness to provide services to consumers with mental illnesses. Methods: Fifty pharmacists participated in the program with 2 parts: discussion on the history of mental health care and consumers sharing their experiences. Pharmacists completed 1 survey before and after the program. Surveys asked about pharmacists' attitudes toward mental illness and willingness to provide services to individuals with schizophrenia compared to asthma. Data were analyzed using descriptive and paired t tests. Results: Paired t tests showed a significant decrease in social distance and increase in positive attitudes and willingness to provide services to patients with mental illnesses immediately after the program. Discussion: The immediate increase in positive attitudes and willingness to provide services to consumers with mental illnesses indicates that consumer-led interventions may be an effective way to improve the provision of pharmacy services to patients with mental illnesses.

1992 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 743-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter F. Liddle

Many patients with persistent mental illnesses enjoy a better life in a community setting than would be possible in a long stay mental hospital. Furthermore, the available evidence indicates that most such patients get better while living in the community. Unfortunately, community care has not served all patients well. Much of the difficulty can be attributed to lack of resources. However, there is also a tendency by planners to underestimate the severity of patients' disabilities. A realistic appraisal demands a detailed examination of the problems of patients whose needs have not been met by community care. One important issue is that of patients who fall through the net of community care and another is that of patients who have not but nonetheless have not survived in the community. This paper addresses the question of the needs of this latter group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (22) ◽  
pp. 1746-1751
Author(s):  
Ganga Raju Godasi ◽  
Raj Kiran Donthu ◽  
Abdul Salaam Mohammed ◽  
Ravi Shankar Pasam ◽  
Raja Anirudh Yalamanchili

BACKGROUND Mental and behavioural disorders are prevalent in all societies. The stigma and poor attitude towards mental illness and those with mental illness is well known. Similarly, there also exists poor opinions about psychiatrists and psychiatric medications among people. Non psychiatric doctors act as a bridge between the psychiatrists and mentally ill people. This study was conducted to evaluate the attitudes of non-psychiatric doctors towards psychiatrists, psychiatric medications, and mental illness. METHODS The study design was cross sectional, conducted in a town of Andhra Pradesh. A structured proforma was used to capture the sociodemographic details and to measure attitudes towards psychiatrists and psychiatric medications. We used a questionnaire used by Zieger et al. Similarly, to measure the attitudes towards mental illness, belief towards mental illness (BTMI) used by Hirai and Clum was used. The data was analysed using R language, and results obtained were tabulated and discussed. Data was analysed using non parametric tests. RESULTS There were no significant negative attitudes of non-psychiatrists towards psychiatrists and mental illness. But we found significant negative attitudes expressed by medical specialists (P = 0.035) and those in academic settings (P = 0.020) towards psychiatric medications. On comparing the other demographic details there were no significant negative attitudes towards psychiatric medications. CONCLUSIONS Previous studies have found negative attitudes among non-psychiatrists towards psychiatry, psychiatrists and mental illness. But our study found that there are positive attitudes expressed by non-psychiatric doctors towards psychiatrists and mental illness which is a good sign. We believe this is a changing trend towards positive side when compared to past studies. Future studies should be longitudinal and to keep in focus the new curriculum changes. KEYWORDS Attitudes of Health Personnel, Psychiatry, Mental Disorders


2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grenville Rose ◽  
Elena Cama ◽  
Loren Brener ◽  
Carla Treloar

Objectives People with mental illness are at significantly higher risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared with the general population. This study assessed knowledge of and attitudes towards people with HCV and people who inject drugs (PWID) among support workers of clients with mental illness. Methods Support workers from a community managed organisation (CMO) in Australia were recruited to complete an online cross-sectional survey. The survey collected data about their knowledge of HCV and attitudes towards PWID and people with HCV. Results Valid responses were received from 117 support workers. Although HCV knowledge was moderate, there were significant knowledge gaps around transmission and treatment of HCV. Higher HCV knowledge was significantly associated with more positive attitudes towards PWID, but not with attitudes towards people with HCV. Participants had more positive attitudes towards people with HCV than towards PWID. Additionally, those with more positive attitudes towards HCV tended to also have more positive attitudes towards PWID. Conclusions Given that people with mental illness are at higher risk of acquiring HCV, these results point to the need for education targeted at support workers of clients with mental illness to increase HCV knowledge and promote positive attitudes towards PWID and people with HCV. What is known about this topic? The limited research available suggests that there are gaps in HCV knowledge among mental-health-service providers, although such research has generally targeted physicians. What does this paper add? This paper is the first to assess HCV knowledge, attitudes towards PWID and HCV among mental-health support workers. The findings suggest that although HCV knowledge is moderate, significant gaps exist, which are related to negative attitudes towards PWID. What are the implications for practitioners? Supportive and non-judgemental care is essential for people with mental illness and HCV, due to the potential for a double stigma arising from negative attitudes towards both mental illness and injecting drug use. This paper highlights the importance of targeted education for workers in the mental-health sector, to increase HCV knowledge and promote positive attitudes towards people with co-occurring mental-health, substance use problems and HCV.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Morral ◽  
Jordi Morral

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the pharmacy services provided to people taking psychotropic and cardiovascular medications and examine the association between pharmacists’ attitudes towards mental illness and provision of pharmacy services. The paper also considers pharmacists’ opinions of the pharmaceutical care needs of people with mental illness including their physical health. Design/methodology/approach – A survey instrument was sent by facsimile to a random sample of community pharmacists in England and Wales. Findings – Community pharmacists had generally positive attitudes towards mental illness but provided significantly fewer pharmacy services (and were less comfortable providing them) to patients taking psychotropic medications than to patients taking cardiovascular medications. Awareness of the higher prevalence of physical health conditions among people with severe mental illness was not high. Provision of pharmacy services was associated with pharmacists’ attitudes towards mental illness and comfort providing pharmaceutical care. Other factors that may contribute to these disparities in service provision are discussed. Practical implications – The study findings indicate the need for enhanced mental health education for pharmacy students to improve attitudes, knowledge and confidence in mental health and the inclusion of mental health in pharmacy advanced services. Originality/value – Few studies have examined the relationship between attitudes towards mental illness and provision of pharmacy services. This was the first study to examine the attitudes of British community pharmacists towards mental illness.


1974 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel T. Hare-Mustin ◽  
Richard Garvine

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Kendra ◽  
Lauren B. Cattaneo ◽  
Jonathan J. Mohr

Abnormal psychology instructors often use traditional and personal methods to educate students about and improve student attitudes toward mental illness and professional help-seeking. Data from abnormal psychology students ( N = 190) were used to determine if and how students’ attitudes toward mental illness and professional help-seeking attitudes change over time. The study also examined whether stigma-related variables were influenced by student presentations about personal experiences with mental illness. With few exceptions, stigma-related variables did not change over time or in relation to student presentations. Implications for research and teaching to improve attitudes toward mental illness and professional help-seeking are discussed.


Author(s):  
Philip W. Morris ◽  
Ronald J. Daigle

<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Computer attitudes are measured before students take an introductory AIS course. Attitudes are positive, regardless of gender or traditional vs. non-traditional student status. No difference is noted by gender, but non-traditional students have more positive attitudes. Prior computer experience appears to explain these findings. Attitudes are measured again at semester end. Attitudes either remain the same or slightly improve for respective subgroups studied. Little if any gender difference exists, but the gap by student status is slightly greater. Impact of findings on AIS education is discussed.</span></span></p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Diefenderfer ◽  
Courtney Iuppa ◽  
Carrie Kriz ◽  
Leigh Anne Nelson

Abstract Introduction People with mental illness continue to face stigma, despite these illnesses being common. Previous studies have demonstrated reduced stigma in pharmacy students after various exposures and education, although results have been mixed. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) in psychiatric pharmacy on students' stigma toward patients with mental illness using the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Healthcare Providers (OMS-HC) at 2 psychiatric hospitals. Methods This was a prospective, multicenter survey study of pharmacy students on an APPE rotation at an inpatient psychiatric hospital conducted during 3 academic years. Prior to starting and upon completion of their rotation, participants completed the OMS-HC and provided demographic and rotation information. Results A total of 26 students participated in the prerotation survey, with 88.5% (n = 23) completing the postrotation survey. The primary outcome showed a significant decrease in total OMS-HC score (Z = −2.376, P = .017), indicating a decreased level of stigma at rotation completion. Analysis of the OMS-HC subscales for attitudes toward people with mental illness and attitudes toward self-disclosure of a mental illness also yielded significant decreases (Z = −2.425, P = .015; Z = −2.462, P = .014, respectively). Discussion This study showed that APPE rotations at inpatient psychiatric hospitals may help reduce stigma among pharmacy students. Pharmacy schools should consider increasing access to and encouraging completion of psychiatric pharmacy rotations to help reduce stigma prior to graduation.


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