Positive Attitude Change toward Psychiatry in Pharmacy Students Following an Active Learning Psychopharmacology Course

Objective: Psychiatric care in many rural communities has been demonstrated to be less adequate compared with urban environments partially because of attitudes and stigmatization issues. Educated pharmacists with professional attitudes can have a major impact in helping mental health patients receive more accurate diagnostic assessments and safe and effective treatment. This report demonstrates the effects of a specialized elective course in psychopharmacology on doctor of pharmacy students' attitudes toward psychiatric disorders and their treatment. Methods: Third year pharmacy students (N=13) completed the Attitudes toward Psychiatry-30 (ATP-30) questionnaire before and after taking an active learning, advanced psychopharmacology course. Results: ATP-30 questionnaires indicated that the course resulted in a positive change in students' attitudes toward psychiatric patients and treatment. Conclusion: Considering the increasing role of rural pharmacists in the care of patients, it is suggested that colleges of pharmacy that emphasize rural practice should augment mental health related education.