The knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of physiotherapists in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, towards mental health.

Marilyn Hooblaul,Kurt J Daniels,Saul Cobbing

doi:10.4102/sajp.v76i1.1483

Abstract

BackgroundPhysiotherapists are trained to manage patients with physical needs, but because of limited training at an undergraduate level in mental health, patients may not receive holistic care. This lack of knowledge often can deny people living with a mental illness (PLWMI) the potential benefits of physiotherapy treatment and exercise.ObjectivesOur study conducted in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of physiotherapists working in the Department of Health (DoH) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, towards mental health, and to determine whether their undergraduate training prepared them to manage PLWMI.MethodsA mixed-method design was employed. The Attitudes to Psychiatry (ATP-30) questionnaire was distributed to 153 physiotherapists in KwaZulu-Natal. Focus groups were conducted to ascertain whether their undergraduate training prepared them adequately to manage PLWMI.ResultsA total of 124 physiotherapists completed the questionnaires. The mean ATP-30 scores was 103.70 (SD = 11.71). Females had slightly higher ATP-30 scores than males. Physiotherapists indicated in the focus groups that they received limited training about mental health at an undergraduate level.ConclusionPhysiotherapists working in the KwaZulu-Natal public sector have a positive attitude towards mental health and managing PLWMI. Participants expressed the need for the inclusion of theoretical and practical knowledge about mental health in the undergraduate curriculum and postgraduate courses related to this topic.Clinical implicationsThe outcomes of this study show the importance of the inclusion of mental health in the undergraduate physiotherapy programme. Exposure to the theoretical and practical knowledge of mental health during the undergraduate physiotherapy programme will assist qualified physiotherapists better manage PLWMI. Future studies should be conducted in the other provinces and in the private practice setting in South Africa, so as to compare the results.

Highlights

There are more than 45 million people living with a mental illness (PLWMI) globally
We found that participants with a family member or friend with a mental illness had http://www.safp.co.za treated PLWMI more frequently, which may suggest that the interaction with PLWMI greatly reduces stigmatisation and modifies attitudes towards mental health
Our study found that physiotherapists working in public sector hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, had limited self-reported knowledge about mental health after graduation

Summary

Introduction

There are more than 45 million people living with a mental illness (PLWMI) globally. Almost onethird of the population of South Africa suffers from mental or neurological disorders, placing mental illness among the leading causes of ill-health and disability (Vancampfort et al 2018). Kolappa, Henderson and Kishore (2013) have stated that there can be ‘No health without mental health’. PLWMI are reluctant to access medical treatment (Ay, Save & Fidanoglu 2006) as stigmatisation is prevalent in the community, but health care professionals are guilty of stigmatising PLWMI (Egbe et al 2014; Sinawi & Alawi 2016) This can be reduced by knowledge, compassion and understanding (Pauw 2011). Physiotherapists are trained to manage patients with physical needs, but because of limited training at an undergraduate level in mental health, patients may not receive holistic care This lack of knowledge often can deny people living with a mental illness (PLWMI) the potential benefits of physiotherapy treatment and exercise

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion