Browsing by Author "Kuruvilla, A."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Attitude towards psychiatry and mental illness among medical students: A cohort study
    (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, 2025-04) Mukhim, D; George, A; Gopalakrishnan, R; Gowri, MS; Kuruvilla, A.
    Background Medical students� attitude towards psychiatry (ATP) and mental illness will impact their choice of psychiatry as a future specialization and the quality of mental healthcare that they deliver to their patients. There is a paucity of longitudinal research on students� ATP and mental illness at different periods during medical school. We aimed to assess the attitudes of a cohort of medical undergraduates towards psychiatry and mental illness, before and after a clinical psychiatry rotation. Methods Medical students, in their second clinical year, underwent the first assessment on the 1st day of the psychiatry rotation. Socio-demographic information was collected. ATP and mental illness were assessed using the ATP-30 and the attitudes towards mental illness (AMI) scale, respectively. Assessments were repeated on the last day of the rotation and again 1 year later. Results One hundred and three medical students completed the pre- and immediate post-rotation survey questionnaire. One student withdrew consent for the 1-year assessment. There was an increase in ATP-30 and AMI scores after the rotation, and this persisted at the 1-year assessment. However, only the increase in ATP-30 scores was statistically significant. There was a significant reduction in the number of students with an overall negative attitude towards psychiatry and mental illness at 1 year. Conclusion Students generally had positive attitudes towards psychiatry and mental illness before the rotation. This improved further by the end of the rotation and persisted at 1 year of follow-up.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Common mental disorders among patients with diabetes in a secondary care facility: nature, prevalence, and explanatory models
    (Medip Academy, 2024-05) Sobhan, S. S.; Gopalakrishnan, R.; Abraham, V. J.; Kuruvilla, A.
    Background: Diabetes is a chronic medical condition which is psychologically and behaviourally demanding in nature. Persons with diabetes may be particularly vulnerable to developing mental health disorders. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with common mental disorders (CMDs) in patients with diabetes and understand their explanatory models of illness. Methods: One hundred and seventy patients who attended the diabetic clinic at a secondary care hospital were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Psychiatric morbidity and the individual's conceptualization of the illness were assessed using the clinical interview schedule-revised and the modified short explanatory model interview (SEMI) respectively. Socio-demographic and clinical details were recorded using a structured proforma. Results: CMDs were observed in 14.7% of the sample and were significantly associated with female gender, longer duration of diabetic illness and treatment, use of insulin and past treatment for psychiatric illness. Illness attributions included unhealthy diet, heredity, and stress, as well as punishment from God. Religious and traditional healing methods were cited as potential sources of help in addition to medical interventions and lifestyle modification. Conclusions: Diabetes can significantly impact the emotional health of an individual in addition to its myriad physical consequences. Understanding patient perspectives regarding their illness and identifying and providing appropriate interventions for those with emotional disorders are an important component of diabetes care programs.