BASEpsyche

Mental illnesses, general medicine, e-learning

Prof Dr Nathalie Oexle

Prof Dr Vera Clemens

Prof Dr Miriam Rassenhofer

PD Dr Eva Rothermund

Dr Ulrike Hoffmann

Prof Dr Nicolas Rüsch

Prof Dr Harald Gündel

Prof Dr Jörg Fegert

07/2023-12/2025

Background:

The stigmatisation of people with mental illness has not decreased in Germany in recent decades. The consequences for those affected are serious and range from loss of status and difficulties with housing, work or education to social isolation, unfavourable disease progression, suicidal tendencies and a lower life expectancy. As gatekeepers, GPs play a key role in the early identification, referral and (co-)treatment of mental illness.

As part of the project, an online course for GPs will be developed and evaluated to train them in the identification, referral and (co-)treatment of mental illness and to reduce stigmatising attitudes. Based on previous research, educational (i.e. knowledge transfer) and contact-based (i.e. videos/texts from those affected and their experiences in the treatment context with a focus on their recovery) elements are implemented in the course. The aim is to reduce stigmatising attitudes and impart knowledge that is necessary for the identification, referral and (co-)treatment of those affected.

Project description:

The project consists of a quantitative and a qualitative part:

As part of the quantitative study, the stigmatising attitudes towards people with mental illness and the desire for social distancing as well as self-efficacy expectations and action competence of the participants are to be surveyed by means of a pre-post survey. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of the course. In addition, the participants' satisfaction with the course will also be analysed. Furthermore, a survey of participants who do not successfully complete the online course will be used to determine the reasons for this.

As part of the qualitative study, questions regarding the accessibility of the target group, effectiveness, acceptance of the intervention and implementation of the intervention and questions regarding a possible continuation of the course will be clarified by means of qualitative interviews with participating GPs and representatives of the cooperation partners.