Abstract
Introduction:
Very few research articles have considered the views and attitudes of student physiotherapists towards treating individuals with a mental illness (MI). Therefore, this study's objective was to consider the experiences and attitudes of student physiotherapists towards treating individuals with MI.
Methods:
A cross-sectional cohort design was used. One hundred and eighty one physiotherapy undergraduate degree students at UK institutions participated in the survey. The survey had been specifically designed for this study, and contained a mixture of open and closed questions.
Results:
Seventy one per cent (123/173) of the students were exposed to less than 4 hours teaching time about MI, and 76% (131/173) wanted further education on MI. Students were concerned about limited knowledge of MI conditions and how to approach patients who have a MI. A summary of the specific concerns of students is identified within the text.
Conclusions:
Further education about MI is required to give students greater confidence in treating patients who have an MI. Education would also likely benefit some students who identify negative characteristics of patients with MI.
Very few research articles have considered the views and attitudes of student physiotherapists towards treating individuals with a mental illness (MI). Therefore, this study's objective was to consider the experiences and attitudes of student physiotherapists towards treating individuals with MI.
Methods:
A cross-sectional cohort design was used. One hundred and eighty one physiotherapy undergraduate degree students at UK institutions participated in the survey. The survey had been specifically designed for this study, and contained a mixture of open and closed questions.
Results:
Seventy one per cent (123/173) of the students were exposed to less than 4 hours teaching time about MI, and 76% (131/173) wanted further education on MI. Students were concerned about limited knowledge of MI conditions and how to approach patients who have a MI. A summary of the specific concerns of students is identified within the text.
Conclusions:
Further education about MI is required to give students greater confidence in treating patients who have an MI. Education would also likely benefit some students who identify negative characteristics of patients with MI.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 324-330 |
| Journal | International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2014 |
