Web-Based Survey of University Students and Faculty Members on Renaming of Psychiatry.
10.4306/jknpa.2012.51.3.113
- Author:
Je Hyun SHIM
1
;
Jae Ok PARK
;
Jong Woo PAIK
;
Jong Woo KIM
;
Ji Young SONG
Author Information
1. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jysongnp@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Renaming;
Stigma;
Mass E-mail system
- MeSH:
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Discrimination (Psychology);
Electronic Mail;
Employment;
Humans;
Insurance Coverage;
Mental Health;
Postal Service;
Young Adult
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2012;51(3):113-118
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: Psychiatric patients had less access to psychiatric care due to a stigma associated with psychiatric care. However there have been numerous efforts to break down the stigma. One of them was to change the name of the discipline to Mental Health Medicine, which was established nationwide in August, 2011. Authors try to understand the change of concepts by according to the change of the name of psychiatry. Subjects consisted of undergraduate and graduate students, and university faculty members. METHODS: The survey was conducted by the Kyung Hee University mass e-mail system. Mails were delivered to the undergraduate and graduate students, and university faculty members. The contents of the survey consisted of questions regarding awareness of the name change (psychiatry-->mental health medicine), positive or negative impressions of the name change, psychiatric history, and eligibility of access to the psychiatric clinic. RESULTS: Most respondents were not aware of the name change (90.8%), however they generally responded to the changed name positively (92.7%). Also they responded that by changing the name, the possibility of the easy access to psychiatric treatment would be expected. The undergraduate students group, the graduate students group, and the below 22 year old group responded more favorably to the name change compared to the faculty group and the above 22-year-old group. They also responded positively to the improvement of easy access to psychiatric treatment. However, regarding the effects of the name change on deciding to receive the psychiatric treatment, only small numbers were agreed to accept treatment. CONCLUSION: This survey showed that the less-than-22-year-old group, undergraduate students group, and graduate students group thought more positively to the name change (psychiatry->mental health medicine) compared to the group of more than the 22 years old and the faculty group. However, only small numbers of those groups answered that they can visit and receive psychiatric treatment when they are needed. One of the reasons they are reluctant to receive psychiatric care is due to the concern of the discrimination in employment and insurance coverage. Campaigns against stigmas for the psychiatric care via the proper method and time are needed nationwide, and should be enhanced. Practical policy should be re-established.
