Abstract
Aims and method In 1988, Lewis and Appleby demonstrated that psychiatrists hold negative attitudes towards patients with personality disorder. We assessed the attitudes of psychiatry trainees towards patients with borderline personality disorder and depression, expecting an improvement. 166 trainees were block randomised to receive one of four case vignettes that varied by diagnosis and ethnic group. We used Lewis and Appleby's original questionnaire and the Attitudes to Personality Disorder Questionnaire (APDQ).Results We received 76 responses. Lewis and Appleby's questionnaire showed more negative attitudes towards personality disorder than depression, with no significant patient ethnic group effects, and the APDQ also showed a (weak) trend towards more negative attitudes to personality disorder. In subgroup analysis, only in the White British patient group were there significantly more negative attitudes to personality disorder. Factor analysis showed significantly less sense of purpose when working with personality disorder.Clinical implications The perceived greater lack of purpose in working with personality disorder should be the target of clinical training and intervention. Targeted interventions that include training in managing personality disorder, supervision and practice in non-specialist, general psychiatry settings are important.
Highlights
Factor analysis showed significantly less sense of purpose when working with personality disorder
Clinical implications The perceived greater lack of purpose in working with personality disorder should be the target of clinical training and intervention
The objectives of the study were: (a) to assess the attitudes of psychiatry trainees towards patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) compared with depression (b) to assess the impact of patient ethnicity on the attitudes of trainees to BPD
Summary
The objectives of the study were:(a) to assess the attitudes of psychiatry trainees towards patients with BPD compared with depression (b) to assess the impact of patient ethnicity on the attitudes of trainees to BPD.
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