Effectiveness of a training programme for primary care physicians directed at the enhancement of their psychiatric knowledge in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Psychiatric training courses can enhance physicians' knowledge in clinical psychiatry with possible psychiatric implications, including early diagnosis and better treatment of primary care patients with psychiatric problems.

Assessment of Changes in Confidence, Attitude, and Knowledge of Non-Psychiatric Physicians Undergoing a Depression Training Program in Taiwan

“…These physicians displayed significantly increased knowledge and willingness to implement new treatment strategies, as well as more positive attitudes toward, and confidence about, treating depression. This finding is congruent with those of previous studies [32,33]. A lower corresponding baseline score was associated with greater improvement in knowledge, confidence, and attitudes.…”

Mental Health Care in Saudi Arabia: Past, Present and Future

“…Research has shown that Saudi PCPs can be trained to recognize mental disorders in medical patients [36]. Improved detection rates have been documented after only a 3 or 4-day course of didactic lectures with a clinical practice component, although this also depends to some degree on exposure to psychiatric training in medical school [37] [38].…”

What Do Primary Care Doctors Get Out of a Year-Long Postgraduate Course in Community Psychological Medicine?

“…Studies showed that primary care doctors exhibited improvements in clinical practices, patient care, professional role development, and increase in lifelong learning interest after completing postgraduate courses [14,15]. However, apart from discussions on the outcomes of some short-term training programs on mental health [16][17][18][19], there is currently limited information in the literature on the possible effect of structured and long-term postgraduate training on improving primary care doctors in the care of common mental health problems as well as the rate of referrals to psychiatrists.…”