Discrimination on the grounds of diagnosis

Abstract

The study used the methodology of randomly allocating case vignettes to a sample of British consultant psychiatrists to assess the influence of a past diagnosis of alcohol dependence on present treatment attitudes. The case vignettes either did or did not include the previous diagnosis of alcohol dependence and the sex of the 'case' was also randomized. Psychiatrists receiving the vignette with the diagnosis of alcohol dependence were more likely to rate the patient as difficult, annoying, less in need of admission, uncomplaint, having a poor prognosis and more likely to be discharged from follow-up. There was minimal sex difference. Psychiatrist with a special interest in addictions regarded people with a past diagnosis of alcohol dependence as less difficult to manage than their non-specialist colleagues. The implications for education and treatment are discussed.

Attitudes of primary care physicians towards patients with mental illness in Hong Kong

“…The attitudes of health professionals are not only a product of clinical training, accumulative clinical experience and social environment but also the cultural norms as healthcare providers cannot divorce themselves from the culture in which they live (Farrell and Lewis, ; Patel, ). Most of the studies on stigmatization of people with mental illness in the literature are derived from Western countries (Lauber and Rössler, ).…”

Variation in Documented Care for Unhealthy Alcohol Consumption Across Race/Ethnicity in the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

“…), additional factors are also likely important. Unhealthy alcohol use is a complex, stigmatized condition (Cunningham et al., ; Farrell and Lewis, ; Link et al., ; Saitz, ), and, as a result, unique factors, including racial/ethnic discrimination (Borrell et al., ; Institute of Medicine, ), likely contribute to biased identification of unhealthy alcohol use or alcohol use disorders, as well as receipt of alcohol‐related care across racial/ethnic groups (Fig. ).…”

Addiction Counselors in Recovery: Perceived Barriers in the Workplace

“…After viewing randomly allocated vignettes, psychiatrists were more likely to rate alcohol patients as difficult, annoying and less in need of admission [35]. This theme continues as research points to former addicts facing barriers when trying to access treatment for hepatitis C [36].…”