title: [Patients' perceptions of mental health specialists' professional competence].
abstract: Several studies indicate that the public does not differentiate between professional activities provided by psychotherapists, psychiatrists and psychologists. 543 psychiatric outpatients completed a questionnaire concerning mental health professionals' competence. Patients were least familiar with the competence "psychological testing". 35 % respectively 40 % of our patients expected that psychologists or psychotherapists could prescribe psychopharmacological drugs. 47 % expected counsellors to provide psychotherapy, 44 % expected diagnostic competence. Physicians' diagnostic and psychopharmacological competence was underestimated. Mental health professionals should not trust in patients' knowledge concerning their professional activities. Especially in the beginning of a diagnostic or therapeutic process patient information is of major importance.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitationszentrum für psychosoziale Gesundheit, Bad Hall, Universität Wien.
authors.forename: Egon Michael
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Haberfellner
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Voracek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011361:Professional Competence; D011570:Psychiatry; D011584:Psychology; D011613:Psychotherapy