Pharmacy student attitudes to mental illness and the provision of mental health care: a repeated cross-sectional survey

Background Attitudes to mental illness are an important factor in the willingness of professionals to engage in mental health care. Aim The aim of this study was to understand attitudes of undergraduate pharmacy students in Ireland to severe mental illness and the provision of medicines optimisation services as well as the variation in these attitudes throughout the undergraduate course. Method A survey instrument was compiled using existing published research and validated questionnaires. The survey was distributed to students in their first, third and Master of Pharmacy years annually between 2014 and 2019. Although designed as a longitudinal study, following the matching process there were a limited number of students who completed more than one survey and therefore data were treated as independent samples. Results The overall average response rate was 25% per survey (n = 191 participants) Notwithstanding generally positive attitudes, a sizeable proportion of students felt people with severe depression and schizophrenia were hard to talk to (n = 48, 25.3%; n = 54, 29.2%) Less than half of MPharm students expressed confidence and competence in caring for people with more severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and 29% (n = 60) of students would feel awkward asking someone about their antipsychotic medication. Almost two thirds (n = 120, 63.8%) expressed an interest in a career in mental health. Conclusion Irish pharmacy students have generally positive attitudes towards people with severe mental illness and provision of medicines optimisation services. There is an opportunity to improve pharmacy graduates perceived competence and confidence to provide mental health services.