Withering before the sowing? A survey of Oman's 'tomorrow's doctors' interest in psychiatry.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the attitudes of medical students towards psychiatry, both as a subject in their medical curriculum and as a career choice. Three separate domains were elicited: (i) merit, competency and status; (ii) perceived attitude and attributes toward psychiatry and psychiatric services and (iii) treatment.


METHODS
The 26-item scale Das and Chandrasena Questionnaire was administered prior to and immediately following an 8-week clinical training program.


RESULTS
Results indicate that the perception of psychiatry was positive prior to clerkship and became even more so upon completion of the training. However, there was a significant drop in the proportion of students who indicated that they might choose a career in psychiatry.


CONCLUSIONS
This is consistent with other studies suggesting that perception of psychiatry is enhanced following a clerkship but this does not translate into psychiatry as a career intention. This finding is highlighted in light of the increasing magnitude of the number of people affected with mental disorders in a developing country like Oman but with no parallel development in psychiatric services.
Al-Adawi
Samir
S
Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman. adawi@squ.edu.om
Dorvlo
Atsu Ss
AS
Bhaya
Cashmera
C
Martin
Rodger G
RG
Al-Namani
Aziz
A
Al-Hussaini
Ala'din
A
Guenedi
Amr D R
AD
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D009850:Oman; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult