Evaluating the Impact of an Anti-stigma Intervention on Pharmacy Students' Willingness to Counsel People Living with Mental Illness.

Evaluating the Impact of an Anti-stigma Intervention on Pharmacy Students' Willingness to Counsel People Living with Mental Illness. Community Ment Health J. 2016 Dec 15; Authors: Bamgbade BA, Barner JC, Ford KH Abstract Third-year pharmacy students (n = 88) participated in an anti-stigma intervention program consisting of presentations, videos, discussion and active-learning exercises. Willingness to counsel (WTC) people with mental illness (MI) was evaluated using immediate pre and post-tests comparing diabetes, depression and schizophrenia. At pre-test, WTC diabetes was highest (higher = increased WTC) while schizophrenia was the lowest. There were no statistically significant differences between pre/post-test WTC for diabetes and depression, while schizophrenia WTC increased significantly (p < 0.05). At post-test, diabetes WTC was significantly higher than depression and schizophrenia (p < 0.0001). Regression results for WTC depression showed that comfortability and gender were significant (p < 0.05) predictors. Regression results for WTC schizophrenia showed that comfortability was a significant (p < 0.05) predictor. As highly accessible healthcare providers, pharmacists have the potential to positively impact healthcare, but this depends on WTC. Colleges of pharmacy may consider instituting policies that support experiential education involving counseling people living with MI, as this may in...
Source: Community Mental Health Journal - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Community Ment Health J Source Type: research