Psihoterapija, Vol. 37 No. 1-2, 2023.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.24869/psihei.2023.3
ATTITUDES OF FAMILY MEDICINE DOCTORS IN PRIMORJE-GORSKI KOTAR COUNTY TOWARDS PSYCHOLOGICAL METHODS IN THE TREATMENT OF SOMATIC DISEASES
Jasminka Arbanas
; Psychiatry Department of Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka,
Tanja Frančišković
; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka
Abstract
For centuries, etiological considerations in medicine have been dominated by the dualism
of psychological and physical. Engel’s forty-year-old concept of biopsychosocial cause laid the foundation for a holistic approach that acknowledges the biological, social and psychological
factors in the origin of every disease. However, in practice and educational programs
of medical professionals, the biological approach actually prevails. Family medicine doctors
(FMDs) have a greater ability to recognize and appreciate the psychosocial dimensions of a
disease compared to secondary level doctors who are otherwise more inclined to a particular,
biological approach.
They are, therefore, key factors in the realization of a biopsychosocial approach which implies
treatment that will include a social and psychological component, in addition to the
biological one. This includes referring patients with somatic diseases to some form of psychological
treatment. We contacted employees and concessionaires of the Primorje-Gorski
Kotar County Health Centre in order to examine the attitudes towards psychological treatment
methods of FMDs and to what extent they refer their somatic patients to them. The
following instruments were used in the research: the General Demographic Data Questionnaire,
two short questionnaires structured for the purposes of this study and the Attitudes
Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale – Short Form (ATSPPH-SF). The results
show that FMDs have positive personal attitudes in reference to seeking professional
psychological help, regardless of gender and years of service. Despite this, somatic patients
are only sometimes referred to a psychiatrist or for psychological treatment, and rarely to
self-help groups. Referral does not depend on attitudes towards seeking psychological help
and attending training in psychological treatment methods, but is positively related to years
of service. Over 50% of referrals to psychiatrists and for psychological treatments refer to
patients with undifferentiated somatic symptoms, followed by gastrointestinal, malignant
and cardiovascular diseases. Doctors mostly refer patients with malignant diseases to selfhelp
groups (30.5%), followed by gastrointestinal, neurological and rheumatic diseases.
Keywords
Psychological help; physical illness; psychosomatic illness; doctor; attitudes
Hrčak ID:
313666
URI
Publication date:
11.1.2024.
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