Attitudes of medical students towards psychotherapeutic treatment and training

Objectives: Against the background of insufficient medical care for patients with psychiatric and psychosomatic disorders it is important to ascertain the interests and attitudes of medical students towards mental disorders, psychotherapeutic treatment and training. Methods: Medical students (N = 366) in their clinical training were given half-standardized questionnaires about their attitudes towards psychotherapeutic treatments, their career plans, psychosocial distress and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: There was an overall high interest in psychological distress of patients and in psychotherapeutic treatment methods. Contrary to these findings, however, only few medical students were willing to specialize in psychosomatic medicine, psychiatry or psychotherapy. Psychosomatic and psychotherapeutic career choices were more frequent in women as well as in students who had experienced psychological distress themselves, and who had undergone psychotherapy, and who were less oriented toward economic success and careers. Conclusions: Medical students regarded psychological characteristics as generally interesting and important for medical care, but rarely considered specializing in these medical fields after graduation. Potential remedies (e.g., improved teaching of psychosocial competences and psychotherapeutic knowledge, career counselling) are discussed.