Study of attitude toward psychotropic medications among the undergraduate medical students

Abstract

Background: Misconceptions about psychotropic medicines would compromise the treatment of medical students with psychiatric illnesses. Aims: This study aims to estimate attitude of medical students toward psychotropic medicines. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional and observational study carried out among the undergraduate medical students over the period of 5 months. Participants were informed before interactive session for the maximum attendance. Self-report attitude toward psychotropic medications questionnaire was used to measure the attitude of medical students toward psychotropic medicines. Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U-test, and Pearson correlation test were used to find the variables association with the attitude toward psychotropic medications questionnaire. Results: A total of 500 participants completed the pro forma. The mean age of the participant was 20.34 ± 1.12. Out of them, 39.2% were male and 60.8% were female. Although many medical students believed psychotropic medicines would be a better treatment option and positive attitude toward taking prescribed dose of medication, they were ambivalent toward efficacy and tolerability of medications. Being male, from rural domicile, and living in a joint family significantly reported a negative attitude toward psychotropic medicines. Conclusions: Medical students significantly reported ambivalent attitude toward efficacy and tolerability of psychotropic medicines. Workshop on myths related to psychiatric illness and psychotropic medicines should be organized to correct their negative belief.

Keywords

• attitude
• medical students
• psychotropic medicines