Perception of Psychiatry by Other Healthcare Professionals (Physicians at Casablanca University Hospital)
M. Sabir, N. Attouche, A. Tanjaoui, M. AgoubIntroduction
Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being, with psychiatric disorders contributing significantly to morbidity and complicating other medical conditions. Morocco faces a particularly worrying situation, marked by a shortage of psychiatrists and unequal access to care. Understanding the perception of psychiatry among physicians is essential to improving the specialty’s attractiveness and strengthening training programs.
Objectives
To analyze attitudes toward psychiatry among non-psychiatrist physicians.
To identify factors influencing these attitudes.
To propose actions for improving psychiatry’s representation and integration.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study among 305 physicians at Ibn Rochd University Hospital, excluding psychiatrists. Participants included interns, residents, attending physicians, and faculty members. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and the ATP-30 scale. Analyses were performed using SPSS v27. Variables with p < 0.20 in univariate analysis were included in a multivariate linear regression model, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results
Physicians expressed an overall favorable perception of psychiatry, with a mean ATP-30 score of 115.9 (95% positive attitudes).
Positive aspects: Strong recognition of psychiatric patients’ humanity (88%) and the legitimacy of mental illness compared with physical conditions (91%). Psychiatry is generally considered a respected discipline.
Challenges: Doubts persist regarding therapeutic effectiveness (59% skeptical about improvement), concerns about side effects (72%), and a limited attractiveness of the specialty (46% uninterested).
Influencing factors: Gender, marital status, and professional status were significantly associated with attitudes, with women showing more favorable perceptions.
Conclusions
Physicians at CHU Ibn Rochd showed generally positive attitudes toward psychiatry, consistent with international findings, but therapeutic pessimism remains a major concern. Addressing these reservations is crucial for promoting psychiatry, ensuring equitable access to mental healthcare, and better integrating it into the medical system.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared