KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ABOUT PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS AMONG INTERNS

58 subjects doing their compulsory rotating internship were evaluated on their knowledge and attitude to psychiatric illness using a multiple choice questionnaire, case history vignettes and an open ended attitude questionnaire. All of them had had a series of lectures and 4 weeks clinical posting 3 years prior to evaluation and weekly ethics for 3 months in the year before. It is seen that they have an adequate knowledge of the theoretical aspects of psychiatry, including the ability to diagnose. Management skills are not however .satisfactory. Psychiatry tanked fifth in the overall order of importance in terms of interest and future applicability, and only 4(6.9%) had heard of the National Mental Health Programme or its objectives. The results are discussed