title: [Training in the detection of bipolar disorders for psychologists and primary health agents: a pilot study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  At present, Bipolar Disorders are considered a real public health problem. There is an agreement that it is a priority to solve the existent flaws as regards the certainty of a correct and timely diagnosis of these disorders. This paper report the results of a pilot experience in workshops of training in the detection of Bipolar Disorders aimed at psychologists and primary health agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was carried out before and after the training sessions with the aim of measuring prior knowledge about bipolar disorders and thus evaluating the impact of the training workshops.
  
  
  RESULTS
  227 people completed the surveys. The results showed a scarce knowledge about these disorders, even among those professionals who acknowledged having bipolar patients in treatment and who had interest in being trained. On the other hand, these surveys revealed significant changes in their knowledge of bipolar disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot experience suggests that with low cost events such as the organized workshops it would be possible to increase the ability of timely detection of bipolar disorders in the key agents of the health system. Reducing frequents delays and mistakes in the diagnosis of these disorders which would determine a significant reduction in their morbid impact.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Trastornos Bipolares, Instituto de Neurociencias de la Fundación Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina. sstrejilevich@ffavaloro.org
authors.forename: Sergio Adrián
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Strejilevich
authors.forename: Mariana Urtueta
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Baamonde
authors.forename: Diego Javier
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.forename: Lila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perinot
authors.forename: María Scápola
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Morán
authors.forename: Francesc Victoriano
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Colom
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011584:Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires