Medical students’ attitudes towards mental disorders before and after a psychiatric rotation

Abstract EN

Objective : this study aims to investigate the impact of the psychiatric rotation course in King Faisal University on the beliefs of Saudi medical students about the causes and treatment of mental disorders, and there and attitudes towards mentally ill patients.

Methods : A total of 150 male and female medical students at King Faisal University completed pre-and post-rotation questionnaire assessing their beliefs and attitudes about the etiologic causes and treatment of mental illness and social distance.

Results : the results show that the psychiatric rotation did not greatly influence the beliefs of medical students about the possible causes and treatment of mental illness, though their beliefs about the biochemical causes and treatments were significantly strengthened after completing the rotation.

The findings did not show significant changes in the students' attitudes about social distance, as stigmatization of mentally ill patients continued to occur among them.

Conclusion : the psychiatric rotation the needs to be re-evaluated in order to meet the needs of medical students in the light of the objectives of medical education.

Moreover, focusing on the bio psychosocial paradigm should be addressed.