Is there a stigma of psychiatrists among medical colleagues in Tarlac?
- Author:
Mallari Ma. Cecilia C.
;
Conde Bernardo Jorge L.
;
Navarro Jose C.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Human;
Male;
Female;
Aged;
Middle Aged;
Adult;
PSYCHIATRY;
PHYSICIANS;
ATTITUDE;
- From:
The Philippine Journal of Psychiatry
1998;22(2):9-11
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Psychiatrists are numerous in urban areas, but are lacking in the provinces. Could there be a discrimination of psychiatrists by physicians in the rural areas? Is there a stigma attached to being a psychiatrist in the province? In an attempt to answer the above questions, a questionnaire survey of physicians in the province of Tarlac was conducted. Internal validity of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach Alpha. Two pretests were conducted; the actual test consisted of 25 items with 92 points. Stigma was defined in terms of a cutoff value above 50% from the total number of points. In 75% of the respondents, there was a stigma attached to being a psychiatrist in Tarlac. The following were cited as disadvantages if being a psychiatrist in the said province: few patients, inadequate facilities and poor income. Some thought that psychiatrists might identify with their patients and acquire the same symptoms. The presence of stigma caries a negative implication as to the delivery of mental health care. There is a need to re-orient and re-educate physicians in Tarlac and reintegrate psychiatry into general medical practice.
