Abstract
Objective: This study investigated the attitudes of medical students towards psychiatry, both as a subject in their medical curriculum and as a career choice. Three separate domains were elicited: (i) merit, competency and status; (ii) perceived attitude and attributes toward psychiatry and psychiatric services and (iii) treatment. Materials and Methods: The 26-item scale Das and Chandrasena Questionnaire was administered prior to and immediately following an 8-week clinical training program. Results: Results indicate that the perception of psychiatry was positive prior to clerkship and became even more so upon completion of the training. However, there was a significant drop in the proportion of students who indicated that they might choose a career in psychiatry. Conclusion: This is consistent with other studies suggesting that perception of psychiatry is enhanced following a clerkship but this does not translate into psychiatry as a career intention. This finding is highlighted in light of the increasing magnitude of the number of people affected with mental disorders in a developing country like Oman but with no parallel development in psychiatric services.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 117 |
| Journal | Education for Health: Change in Learning and Practice |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2008 |
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Keywords
- Arab
- Attitude
- Medical students
- Oman
- Perception
- Psychiatry
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
- Education
Cite this
Withering before the sowing? A survey of Oman's tomorrow's doctors' interest in psychiatry. / Al-Adawi, S.; Dorvlo, A. S S; Bhaya, C.; Martin, R. G.; Al-Namani, A.; Al-Hussaini, A.; Al-Guenedi, A.
In: Education for Health: Change in Learning and Practice, Vol. 21, No. 1, 117, 04.2008.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Withering before the sowing? A survey of Oman's tomorrow's doctors' interest in psychiatry
AU - Al-Adawi, S.
AU - Dorvlo, A. S S
AU - Bhaya, C.
AU - Martin, R. G.
AU - Al-Namani, A.
AU - Al-Hussaini, A.
AU - Al-Guenedi, A.
PY - 2008/4
Y1 - 2008/4
N2 - Objective: This study investigated the attitudes of medical students towards psychiatry, both as a subject in their medical curriculum and as a career choice. Three separate domains were elicited: (i) merit, competency and status; (ii) perceived attitude and attributes toward psychiatry and psychiatric services and (iii) treatment. Materials and Methods: The 26-item scale Das and Chandrasena Questionnaire was administered prior to and immediately following an 8-week clinical training program. Results: Results indicate that the perception of psychiatry was positive prior to clerkship and became even more so upon completion of the training. However, there was a significant drop in the proportion of students who indicated that they might choose a career in psychiatry. Conclusion: This is consistent with other studies suggesting that perception of psychiatry is enhanced following a clerkship but this does not translate into psychiatry as a career intention. This finding is highlighted in light of the increasing magnitude of the number of people affected with mental disorders in a developing country like Oman but with no parallel development in psychiatric services.
AB - Objective: This study investigated the attitudes of medical students towards psychiatry, both as a subject in their medical curriculum and as a career choice. Three separate domains were elicited: (i) merit, competency and status; (ii) perceived attitude and attributes toward psychiatry and psychiatric services and (iii) treatment. Materials and Methods: The 26-item scale Das and Chandrasena Questionnaire was administered prior to and immediately following an 8-week clinical training program. Results: Results indicate that the perception of psychiatry was positive prior to clerkship and became even more so upon completion of the training. However, there was a significant drop in the proportion of students who indicated that they might choose a career in psychiatry. Conclusion: This is consistent with other studies suggesting that perception of psychiatry is enhanced following a clerkship but this does not translate into psychiatry as a career intention. This finding is highlighted in light of the increasing magnitude of the number of people affected with mental disorders in a developing country like Oman but with no parallel development in psychiatric services.
KW - Arab
KW - Attitude
KW - Medical students
KW - Oman
KW - Perception
KW - Psychiatry
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=55149106317&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 19034834
AN - SCOPUS:55149106317
VL - 21
JO - Education for Health
JF - Education for Health
SN - 1357-6283
IS - 1
M1 - 117
ER -