Oscar Medina-Ortiz1,2, Luis Pulido3, Nora Sanchez-Mora3, Valmore Bermudez4,5, Guillem Pailhez6. 1. Simón Bolívar University, Cúcuta, Colombia. dr.oscarmedina@gmail.com. 2. University of Los Andes, San Cristóbal, Venezuela. dr.oscarmedina@gmail.com. 3. University of Los Andes, San Cristóbal, Venezuela. 4. Simón Bolívar University, Cúcuta, Colombia. 5. University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela. 6. Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated changes in attitude towards psychiatry of medical students in one medical school in Venezuela. METHODS: Balon's modified questionnaire was administered to first and sixth-year medical students to analyze their attitude towards psychiatry. The answers were compared with McNemar's test. RESULTS: The students' negative perception of psychiatry increased by the end of medical school with 45% of sixth-year students reportedly feeling uncomfortable when working with patients with psychiatric illness compared to only 8.3% of first-year medical students. Interest in specializing in psychiatry decreased from 2.6% in first-year medical students to 0% in sixth-year medical students (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Different factors may lead to the loss of interest in psychiatry of medical students in Venezuela, such as little time spent with patients, being in contact only with patients with psychosis, stigma about psychiatry among medical doctors and friends, feeling more comfortable with other specialties, and other specialties having a higher perceived status and being better paid.
OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated changes in attitude towards psychiatry of medical students in one medical school in Venezuela. METHODS: Balon's modified questionnaire was administered to first and sixth-year medical students to analyze their attitude towards psychiatry. The answers were compared with McNemar's test. RESULTS: The students' negative perception of psychiatry increased by the end of medical school with 45% of sixth-year students reportedly feeling uncomfortable when working with patients with psychiatric illness compared to only 8.3% of first-year medical students. Interest in specializing in psychiatry decreased from 2.6% in first-year medical students to 0% in sixth-year medical students (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Different factors may lead to the loss of interest in psychiatry of medical students in Venezuela, such as little time spent with patients, being in contact only with patients with psychosis, stigma about psychiatry among medical doctors and friends, feeling more comfortable with other specialties, and other specialties having a higher perceived status and being better paid.
Authors: Mary Morreale; John Coverdale; Anthony P S Guerrero; Eugene V Beresin; Alan K Louie; Rashi Aggarwal; Richard Balon; Adam M Brenner Journal: Acad Psychiatry Date: 2021-12
Authors: Genesis Camacho-Leon; Marco Faytong-Haro; Keila Carrera; Ivonne De la Hoz; Robert Araujo-Contreras; Karelis Roa; Hans Mautong; Jhoselena Cardozo; Marianny Briceño; Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda Journal: SSM Popul Health Date: 2022-08-06