Comparing the attitudes and knowledge of psychiatric residents about psychotherapy before and after the psychotherapy rotation

Introduction: The evidence show that the attitudes to any specialty can be improved as a result of a skillful and interested presentation and negative attitudes toward psychiatry can be the particular target in clinical and non-clinical courses [1]. The present study aimed to compare the attitudes and knowledge of psychiatric residents about psychotherapy before and after the psychotherapy rotation. Methodology: The present study was a descriptive research using causal-comparative method. The population consisted of all psychiatric residents in the universities of Tehran in 2018-2019. The study was a census and all residents were asked to participate if they were willing to. From different universities of medical sciences including Iran, Shahid Beheshti, Tehran, Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, 27, 24, 25, and 41 subjects were included in the study, respectively. The total number of subjects was 117. The researcher-made questionnaire was used for three groups of residents to assess their psychiatric attitudes and knowledge: the residents who passed the theoretical and practical psychotherapy courses, the residents who have not yet passed the psychotherapy course, and those who were passing the theoretical course. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for internal consistency of attitude and knowledge were 0.953 and 0.985, respectively. Findings: one-way variance analysis test was used to analyze the variables. According to the results of this test, there was a significant difference among the psychiatric residents in terms of knowledge and attitude (p<0.01). Moreover, regarding the means obtained for each group, it can be said that the residents who passed the theoretical and practical courses of psychotherapy had higher mean in attitude and knowledge than the other two groups; the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: in any educational relationship, the attitudes of educators and learners play a key role in effectiveness and success. The psychotherapy course can change the negative stereotypes about psychiatry in psychiatrists and provide an important opportunity to change their negative attitudes.