Changes in attitudes toward persons with mental disorders after attendance of a psychiatric curriculum among medical students in Vietnam: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Asian journal of psychiatry Vol. 93; p. 103949
• Main Authors: Eilinghoff, Luisa, Nguyên, Văn Tuân, Hahn, Eric, Nguyên, Văn Phi, Lê, Công Thiên, Lê, Thi Thu Há, Böge, Kerem, Mavituna, Selin, Zierhut, Marco Matthaeus, Schomerus, Georg, Kuehl, Linn Kristina, Ta, Thi Minh Tam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Benevolent Attitudes; Global Mental Health; LMICs; Medical Students; Mental Health Literacy; Psychiatric Curriculum; Stigmatising Attitudes; Vietnam; Psychiatric Curriculum; Stigmatising Attitudes; Vietnam; Global Mental Health; Benevolent Attitudes; Medical Students; LMICs; Mental Health Literacy
• ISSN: 1876-2018; 1876-2026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.103949

This study aimed to determine the influence of psychiatric training and hands-on learning with individuals with mental illness on increasing medical students' benevolent attitudes towards psychiatry and psychiatric patients. The cross-sectional study compares medical students' attitudes before and after a compulsory psychiatry curriculum and psychiatric bedside training at Hanoi Medical University with those of non-medical students who have yet to undergo similar training. Two validated scales regarding the attitudes toward psychiatry and psychiatric patients were evaluated. Analysis of the Medical Conditions Regard Scale[1] revealed a significant difference, indicating that medical students displayed more accepting and benevolent attitudes towards psychiatry and psychiatric patients after completing the curriculum and bedside training than medical students before participation. Most stigmatising and rejecting attitudes were found among non-medical students. This study is the first to examine medical students' attitudes toward psychiatry and psychiatric patients compared to non-medical students in Vietnam. It can guide the development of the medical curriculum to increase benevolence towards psychiatric patients and interest in the psychiatric field of work in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, aiming to improve the mental health care sector. •First study investigating medical students' attitudes towards psychiatry in Vietnam.•Medical students after psychiatric curriculum had a more favourable attitude.•Medical students after psychiatric curriculum were more likely to pursue a psychiatric career.•Psychiatric curriculum can be seen as a model for the ASEAN region.•Non-medical students have a more negative attitude towards psychiatry and patients.