Journal of Psychiatry

Examining the Influence of Psychiatry Clinical Posting on Medical Students' Attitudes Towards Mental Illness: Strategies to Mitigate Negative Perceptions

Sungsoo Chun^* Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tonekabon, Iran
^*Correspondence: Sungsoo Chun, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tonekabon, Iran, Email:

Received: 29-Jan-2023, Manuscript No. JOP-23-20266; Editor assigned: 31-Jan-2023, Pre QC No. JOP-23-20266(PQ); Reviewed: 14-Feb-2023, QC No. JOP-23-20266; Revised: 21-Feb-2023, Manuscript No. JOP-23-20266(R); Published: 28-Feb-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2378-5756.23.26.566

About the Study

Clinical posting in psychiatry is an essential component of medical education that provides medical students with the opportunity to develop skills to manage patients with mental health disorders. However, there is a concern that clinical posting in psychiatry may lead to negative attitudes towards mental illness among medical students. This commentary will examine the impact of clinical posting in psychiatry on the attitudes towards mental illness and provide insights into how to address the negative attitudes that may arise.

Impact of clinical posting in psychiatry on attitudes towards mental illness

Several studies have investigated the impact of clinical posting in psychiatry on attitudes towards mental illness. A study of medical students towards mental illness before and after a four-week clinical posting in psychiatry. The study found that the clinical posting in psychiatry had a positive impact on the attitudes towards mental illness. The medical students showed a significant improvement in their attitudes towards mental illness after the clinical posting in psychiatry.

Similarly, a study conducted over the attitudes of medical students towards mental illness before and after a three-week clinical posting in psychiatry. The study found that the clinical posting in psychiatry had a positive impact on the attitudes towards mental illness. The medical students showed a significant improvement in their attitudes towards mental illness after the clinical posting in psychiatry.

However, other studies have reported different findings. The study assessed the attitudes of medical students towards mental illness before and after a clinical posting in psychiatry. The study found that the clinical posting in psychiatry had a negative impact on the attitudes towards mental illness. The medical students showed a decrease in their attitudes towards mental illness after the clinical posting in psychiatry.

The reasons for the different findings in these studies may be due to various factors, such as the length of the clinical posting, the quality of teaching, and the nature of the clinical exposure. For example, a longer clinical posting in psychiatry may provide medical students with more exposure to patients with mental health disorders, leading to a better understanding of mental illness and more positive attitudes towards it.

Addressing negative attitudes towards mental illness

It is essential to address negative attitudes towards mental illness among medical students as it can affect patient care and treatment outcomes. Negative attitudes towards mental illness can lead to stigmatization, discrimination, and poor quality of care for patients with mental health disorders.

One way to address negative attitudes towards mental illness is to provide quality teaching and training in psychiatry. The clinical posting in psychiatry should be structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of mental illness, including its biological, psychological, and social aspects. This approach can help medical students develop a more positive attitude towards mental illness and reduce stigma.

Another way to address negative attitudes towards mental illness is to increase exposure to patients with mental health disorders. Exposure to patients with mental health disorders can help medical students develop empathy, understanding, and respect for patients with mental health disorders. However, it is essential to ensure that exposure to patients with mental health disorders is done ethically and with the patients' consent.

Additionally, it is essential to provide opportunities for medical students to reflect on their attitudes towards mental illness. Reflective practice can help medical students recognize their biases and prejudices towards mental illness and develop strategies to overcome them. Clinical posting in psychiatry is an essential component of medical education that provides medical students with an opportunity to develop skills to manage patients with mental health disorders. The impact of clinical posting in psychiatry on attitudes towards mental illness is mixed, with some studies reporting a positive impact and others reporting a negative impact. Addressing negative attitudes towards mental illness is crucial to ensure quality patient care and treatment outcomes.