Training community mental health staff in Guangzhou, China: evaluation of the effect of a new training model.
BACKGROUND
Increasing numbers of people with mental disorders receive services at primary care in China. The aims of this study are to evaluate impact of a new training course and supervision for community mental health staff to enhance their levels of mental health knowledge and to reduce their stigmatization toward people with mental illness.


METHODS
A total of 77 community mental health staff from eight regions in Guangzhou in China were recruited for the study.4 regions were randomly allocated to the new training model group, and 4 to the old training model group. Levels of mental health knowledge were measured by purpose-made assessment schedule and by the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS). Stigma was evaluated by the Mental Illness: Clinicians' Attitudes Scale (MICA) and the Reported and Intended Behavior Scale (RIBS). Evaluation questionnaires were given at the beginning of course, at the end, and at 6 month and at 12 month follow-up.


RESULTS
After the training period, the 6-month, and the 12-month, knowledge scores of the intervention group were higher than the control group. At 6-month and 12-month follow-up, means scores of MAKS of the intervention group increased more than the control group (both p < 0.05) when age, sex, marriage status, title and time were controlled for. At 6-month follow-up, means scores of MICA of the intervention group decreased more than that of the control group (p < 0.01). At after-training, at 6-months, and at 12-months, mean scores of RIBS of the intervention group increased more than the control (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) when age, sex, marriage status, title and time were controlled for.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with the traditional training course and supervision, the new course improved community mental health staff knowledge of mental disorders, improving their attitudes toward people with mental disorder, and increasing their willingness to have contact with people with mental disorder.
Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 36# Mingxin Road, Liwan, Guangzhou, 510370, China. biglijie@163.com.
Jie
J
Li
Henan Provincial Mental Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, 388# Jianshe Road, Muye, Xinxiang, 453003, China. ljpsy87@163.com.
Juan
J
Li
Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK. graham.thornicroft@kcl.ac.uk.
Graham
G
Thornicroft
Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 36# Mingxin Road, Liwan, Guangzhou, 510370, China. yanghui6009@163.com.
Hui
H
Yang
Faculty of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University,Sun Yat-sen Center for Migrant Health Policy, 74#Zhongshan Road II, Yuexiu, Guangzhou, 510080, China. chenw43@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Wen
W
Chen
Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 36# Mingxin Road, Liwan, Guangzhou, 510370, China. yuan2011gz@163.com.
Yuanguang
Y
Huang
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002681:China; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires