A new research article featured in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry finds that Canadian psychiatrists and residents have relatively negative attitudes towards patients with schizophrenia. The study, led by Dr. Layla Dabby, included a web-based survey to better understand the conscious (explicit) and unconscious (implicit) attitudes of the medical professionals towards patients with mental health issues. The study found that psychiatrists and residents do not differ in their attitudes, with both reporting a desire for greater social distance from a patient with schizophrenia than a patient with diabetes, even though the patient’s mental health condition is described as well managed by medication. Implicit attitudes were found to be neither positive nor negative.
The study authors call for more detailed research into the topic. This research was supported by the CPA Stigma-Discrimination Working Group and the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
For more information, please read the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry article.