The beliefs of non ‐psychiatric doctors about the causes, treatments, and prognosis of schizophrenia

ConclusionsThese findings suggest the need to provide some doctors with training on the multiple, interacting causes of schizophrenia and the efficacy of the broad range of available treatments. The education of health professionals regarding stigma and its effects on clinical practice is also needed.Practitioner pointsViewing schizophrenia as mainly due to a biological cause is associated with greater confidence in the usefulness of drugs, higher belief in the need for lifelong pharmacological treatments, and greater prognostic pessimism.Belief in a biologically oriented model of schizophrenia may lead doctors to underestimate the value of psychologists.Prognostic pessimism among doctors may negatively influence clinical decisions, the information doctors provide to their clients, and clients ’ own beliefs about their chances of recovery.Belief in the need for lifelong pharmacological treatments in schizophrenia may lead doctors to resist drug withdrawal in case of severe side effects.
Source: Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research