
Research view
Title: | A study on nonpsychiatric management of psychiatric patients in Minia governorate, Egypt |
Author: | Ahmed M. Kamal, Mohamed A. Abd Elhameed and Mohamed T. Siddik |
Abstract: |
Background
The world is suffering from an increasing burden of mental disorders and a widening
gap in treatment. About 450 million people suffer from mental or behavioral disorders;
yet, only a small minority receives even the most basic treatment.
Objectives
The objective of the study was to assess nonpsychiatric treatments and traditional and
folklore management of psychiatric disorders and examine the nature of
communication between psychiatric and nonpsychiatric care providers in Minia
Governorate, Egypt.
Participants and methods
A total of 1134 patients [638 male (56.2%) and 496 female (43.8%)] were recruited
from the outpatient psychiatric clinic of Minia University Hospital. They were
interviewed using an unstructured open-ended technique to assess the previous
methods by which their psychiatric illness was handled.
Results
The number of patients who reported that they had undergone nonpsychiatric medical
and cultural traditional treatment methods was 985 (82% of the sample).
Nonpsychiatric medical management techniques used by the patients (530, 53.8%)
included medical treatment and investigations advised by general practitioners in
primary healthcare units (231 patients, 43.5%), internal medicine (123, 23.2%),
pediatric services (101, 19.1%), neurosurgery (25, 4.8%), and others including
emergency room services (50, 9.4%). Nonpsychiatric cultural traditional interventions
(455 patients, 46.2%) included following the Holy Koran (274 patients, 60.2%),
using herbs and plants (91, 20%), Hegab (written words on a piece of paper, 55,
12.1%), Hegama (23, 5.4%), and physical interactions (12, 2.3%). The rate of
referral of these patients from nonpsychiatric to psychiatric attention was limited
(119 patients, 12%).
Conclusion
Our results highlighted the need to enhance communication between psychiatrists and
providers of nonpsychiatric care to psychiatric patients.
Keywords:
Egypt, Minia governorate, nonpsychiatric management
|
Journal: | Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry 2013, 34:128–133 |
Text: | |
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