Attitude Among Medical Graduates Towards Mental Illness And Psychiatry As A Field Of Specialization: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: In India, where the burden of mental disorders is substantial, the shortage of trained psychiatrists is alarming; psychiatry remains one of the least chosen specialties among medical graduates. This study assesses medical graduates' attitudes toward psychiatry and mental illness. The study also aims to identify critical barriers that deter students from choosing psychiatry as a career, focusing on gender-based differences in attitudes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical graduates using the Attitude Towards Psychiatry-30 (ATP-30) scale. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests. Results: Both male and female participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward psychiatric patients and the significance of psychiatric illness. However, significant gender differences were observed in critical areas, with females more likely to question psychiatry’s scientific rigor (p = 0.025) and job satisfaction in psychiatry (p=0.008). Despite positive overall attitudes toward psychiatry, only 26% of participants expressed an interest in pursuing psychiatry as a career, with females showing a higher reluctance, though not statistically significant (p =0.708). Conclusion: While medical graduates generally hold favorable attitudes toward psychiatry, gender differences in perceptions regarding the scientific rigor of psychiatry and concerns about job satisfaction act as barriers. Funding: Self Funded Conflict of Interest: None