Attitudes of Medical Students Towards Alcohol-Related Disorders: Dependent on Intended Medical Specialization?

2022, Psychiatr Prax 

DOI: 10.1055/a-1690-5902

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify subjective attitudes of medical students towards alcohol-related disorders (ARD) compared to other mental and somatic disorders. Medical students taking part in an online survey (n = 1875) rated ARD less severe compared to other disorders (p < 0.001), had a greater wish for social distance towards those affected (p < 0.001), held them more responsible (p < 0.001), and chose ARD more often as a disorder with a potential for financial savings in the health care system. Prospective psychiatrists selectively reported an increased desire for social distance and readiness for structural discrimination in terms of ARD but not for mental disorders per se. Since these attitudes might have unfavorable effects on the medical-patient relationship, it is of importance to address this issue already during medicine studies.