Abstract
Background: Primary health care physicians are the cornerstone of recognition, diagnosis, treatment and referral for all disorders, i.e., somatic, psychological, or psychosomatic, so the aim of study was to determine knowledge, attitude and practice of PHC physicians in Abha City regarding common psychiatric disorders.
Method: A cross-sectional study design was followed to include 101 Primary Health Care physicians in Abha City. An interview questionnaire was designed by the researcher. It included personal characteristics, knowledge Questionnaire, attitude assessment and Practice assessment.
Results: Most PHC physicians in Abha City (86.1%) have unsatisfactory knowledge about psychiatric disorders. Their knowledge gaps included "Who is at risk for major depression " (18 %), "depression among children" (6.9%), "community services for people with dementia and their families" (7.9%) and "learning problems" (10.9%). Most PHC physicians in Abha City (88.1%) have a positive attitude toward management of psychiatric disorders. All PHCs (100%) diagnosed psychiatric patients during the last year. However, the majority of diagnosed cases (94.1%) were referred to a psychiatrist, while only 5.9% of PHC physicians prescribed treatment to their patients. Non-Saudi participants had a significantly higher percentage of satisfactory knowledge grade than Saudi participants (21.7% and 7.3%, respectively, p=0.036). PHC physicians who attended continuing medical education activities on mental health had significantly higher percentage of satisfactory knowledge grade than those who did not (35.7% and 10.3%, respectively, p=0.011). However, PHC physicians' knowledge grades did not differ significantly according to their age group, gender, qualification, position, experience in PHC, or source of knowledge about mental health. Moreover, both their attitude and practice regarding management of psychiatric disorders did not differ significantly according to their personal characteristics.
Conclusions: Knowledge of PHC physicians in Abha City about psychiatric disorders is unsatisfactory, with several knowledge gaps. Their attitude toward management of psychiatric patients is mainly positive. Although all PHC physicians diagnose psychiatric diseases, they mostly refer their patients to a specialist. PHC physicians should be encouraged to attend continuing medical education sessions. Revision of the undergraduate medical curriculum and also the postgraduate curriculum of family medicine in order to enhance teaching of psychiatric disorders, especially covering those with identified knowledge gaps is recommended.