ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the effect of supervision on internal medicine residents' attitudes toward and management of depression. METHOD: Internal medicine residents completed a survey during preclinical conferences. The survey included a published, validated questionnaire, the Depression Attitude Questionnaire, and items developed by the researchers. RESULTS: Of residents in attendance on the day of survey administration, 94% (51/54) agreed to participate. The study sample contained 39% of the 139-member residency program. About half (49%) reported feeling uncomfortable managing depression. Perceived training adequacy was correlated with a greater feeling of ease managing depression. Most residents reported screening ≤20% of patients for depression, although 71% indicated they are more likely to screen if it were a priority for their supervisor. Fifty-eight percent indicated that supervisors' attitudes affect their own attitudes. However, significant correlations between supervisor and resident attitudes were not observed. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot study suggest that supervision can encourage screening and promote resident preparedness to manage depression.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Depression/diagnosis , Internship and Residency/organization & administration , Organization and Administration , Adult , Clinical Competence , Female , Humans , Internal Medicine/methods , Male , Mass Screening , Pilot Projects , Primary Health Care/methods , Statistics, Nonparametric , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Most physicians fail to routinely screen patients for a history of sexual assault. PURPOSES: This study aimed to gauge medical student support for routinely screening patients for a history of sexual assault, examine potential barriers to screening, and determine if attitudes can be changed through educational interventions. METHODS: One hundred three 2nd-year medical students completed a survey before and after a lecture on sexual assault (response rate = 94/103 and 90/103, respectively). The questionnaire was administered a third time following a standardized patient encounter with a female rape victim (response rate = 102/103). RESULTS: Most medical students agreed that patients should be screened for sexual victimization. Students showed low levels of rape myth acceptance. Agreement with rape myths correlated with increased screening hesitancy. Statistically significant gender differences were observed. Following educational sessions, students expressed less rape myth acceptance and more comfort screening. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual assault education can diminish rape myth acceptance and promote screening for sexual assault.
