Benefits of Correctional Psychiatry Teaching and Clinical Exposure for Third-Year Medical Students.

Abstract

Medical students have limited exposure to correctional health, and their attitudes toward inmates are understudied. We investigated medical students' attitudes toward inmates, assessing whether an intervention can improve their understanding of the correctional system and help them develop more positive attitudes toward inmates. One hundred thirty third-year medical students at the University of Ottawa attended a one-hour lecture on correctional health and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subsequently observed a three-hour correctional telepsychiatry clinic during their clerkship psychiatry rotation. Students completed a preintervention and postintervention questionnaire that included a modified 20-item Attitudes Toward Prisoners (ATP) scale (quantitative) and feedback questions (qualitative). Of 130 students who completed the preintervention questionnaire, 106 completed the postintervention questionnaire (81.5%). Students' mean total modified ATP scores increased significantly after our intervention, from 72.8 to 78.4 (p < 001). Fourteen of 20 ATP items increased significantly, reflecting greater understanding of the correctional system and more positive attitudes toward inmates. Thematic analysis of qualitative feedback revealed students gained a better understanding of the correctional system and increased comfort treating inmates. Scarce criticism included minimal interactivity and a desire for more sessions. Although students perceived benefits, further research is required to determine its educational significance.