Comparison of attitudes toward schizophrenia among medical students and health professionals in Japan and their associated factorsamong medical students: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Changing perceptions of schizophrenia is crucial for both medical professionals and students.　This study examined negative attitudes toward schizophrenia among medical students, psychiatrists, psychiatric staff, physicians, and non-medical workers.　We created an 18-item survey using a web-based tool to assess attitudes toward schizophrenia, focusing on three factors:stigma, underestimation of patients’ abilities, and skepticism about treatment.　To compare scores among the five participants’ groups, we used analysis of covariance, adjusting for age and sex.　The study included 237 medical students, 10 psychiatrists, 16 psychiatric staff, 26 physicians, and 98 non-medical workers.　After adjusting for age and sex, the overall discrimination score for psychiatrists was significantly lower than those of medical students, physicians, and non-medical workers.　Among medical students, a comparison of each score by grade revealed that underestimation of patients’ abilities scores was significantly higher in the fourth year than in the third year.　Furthermore, those aspiring to become psychiatrists had significantly lower adjusted mean and stigma scores than students with different career goals (p<0.05).　In conclusion, medical students, as well as physicians and non-medical workers, displayed higher levels of stigma towards schizophrenia than psychiatrists.　It is essential to explore modifying factors to improve medical students’ attitudes towards schizophrenia.