1. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 1 Running head: Attitude, knowledge, & behaviour among physicians toward Psychiatry

2. BAHA’ TABAZA, M.D – WALID SARHAN F.R.C.Psych. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 2 Attitude, Knowledge & Behaviour among Physicians toward Psychiatry

3. METHOD 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 3 A Questionnaire was designed especially for the purpose of this study that included 30 questions about the attitude towards psychiatry and its practice in Jordan, as well as the knowledge of physicians about psychiatric disorders, their diagnosis, management and complications. The questionnaire also covered the behaviour of physicians when they are suffering from psychiatric problems, their families, or their parents. The questionnaire was evaluated by two senior psychiatrists & adjusted accordingly. The results of the study and conclusions will be presented & discussed.

4. METHOD 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 4 A 115 copies of the questionnaire in opened envelops were distributed by the author & some medical colleagues to 115 medical doctors of different specialities in Amman. The participants were asked to answer the questions & put it back in a sealed envelope, only 100 was clearly filled.

5. RESULTS 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 5

6. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 6 1. Do you believe in Psychiatry? 2. Do you think that psychiatry is an important branch of medicine? 3. Do you agree with the idea of referring to religious scholar before consulting a psychiatrist?

7. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 7 4. Do you agree with the idea of referring to healers instead of consulting a psychiatrist? 5. Do you think absolute confidentiality is an important factor in psychiatry? 6. Does the fear of not getting enough confidentiality limit patients access to a psychiatrist?

8. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 8 7. Do previous experiences affect your acceptance of psychiatry? 8. Do you think religious believes are an obstacle to consulting a psychiatrist? 9. Do you think that religion is compatible with psychiatry?

9. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 9 10. Do you think that the idea of social stigma restrains consulting a psychiatrist? 11. Do you think that psychiatry started to take its place among other branches of medicine? 12. Do you think that people awareness & knowledge of psychiatry have changed?

10. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 10 13. Do you think that you know enough about psychiatry? 14. Do you want to know more about psychiatry & its branches? 15. Do you think that the effort to raise awareness on mental health is enough?

11. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 11 16. Are you satisfied with the skilfulness of psychiatrists in Jordan? 17. Do you think that modern technologies & means of communication with the west have a positive role in acceptance of psychiatry? 18. Do you think that healers have a negative effect on the progress of psychiatry?

12. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 12 19. Do you think that neurologists could replace psychiatrists? 20. Do you believe that refusing to attend a psychiatrist makes thing worse? 21. Does the idea of ’’ fear from addiction’’ or ‘the use of tranquilizers’ are obstacle to consulting a psychiatrist?

13. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 13 22. What are your sources of knowledge about psychiatry & its branches? 23. Would you consult a psychiatrist if you have a personal psychological problem?

14. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 14 24. Would you recommend consulting a psychiatrist to your friends or relatives if they have a psychological problem? 25. Would you refer your patient to a psychiatrist if you find that he/she suffers from a psychological problem?

15. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 15 26. Do you refer him to the psychiatrist directly after the emergence of the psychological problem? 27. Would you prescribe some psychotropic medications to him before advising him to consult a psychiatrist?

16. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 16 28. Do you avoid prescribing any psychiatric medication even if you are familiar to it? 29. Are you satisfied with your knowledge about psychiatric medications & therapy? 30. Do you think that psychotropic medications are different from drugs of other branches of medicine?

17. Conclusion-1 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 17 The great majority refused the idea of referring to healers, yet some accepted going to religious scholars before consulting a psychiatrist. Confidentiality appeared to be a major determinant in consulting a psychiatrist, and the fear of not having enough confidentiality is a remarkable obstacle. Results were ambiguous regarding the degree of harmony or contradiction between Psychiatry and Religion. Social stigma is an important and common obstacle that psychiatry faces. Physicians of different specialities have limited knowledge about psychiatry, but most of them are welling to know more.

18. 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 18 6. The majority consider the efforts of raising awareness on mental health not enough and need improvement. 7. It was not clear whether physicians of different specialities are satisfied with the skilfulness of psychiatrists in Jordan or not. 8. Some of the physicians may advise their patients to consult a psychiatrist if needed, but refuse to do it when they are themselves having a psychological problem. 9. A delay was obvious in referring a patient with a psychological problem to a psychiatrist. 10. The great majority of physicians avoided prescribing psychiatric medications and therapy, due to their limited knowledge about it. Conclusion-2

19. RECOMMENDATIONS 5/13/2011 Tabaza&sSarhan 19 1-More emphasis on psychiatry in medical schools is necessary. 2-CME is of great importance for physicians. 3-Lision psychiatry can improve the awareness of physicians. 4-Physiains are not taking good care of their psychological wellbeing. 5-Psychiatry in Jordan needs a lot of work to tackle the stigma. 6-Further studies to find out more about knowledge ,attitude and behavior among different sectors of the society towards psychiatry.

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