Mental Health Professional's knowledge, Attitudes and Practice about Talking Therapies in Clinical Practice in Gaza Strip

Abstract

It is clear that we need to heal emotional wounds, which means that we are looking for a psychological recovery alongside our economic recovery. Talking therapies in this study refers to evidence-based psychological therapies used by Mental health professional's including, Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Family Therapy, and Group therapy. The current study addresses community mental health professional's knowledge, attitudes and practice about talking therapies in clinical practice in governmental community mental health centers . A total of 118 participants 20 of them were pilot (excluded) and 90 participants completed knowledge, attitudes and practice ( KAP) questionnaire, And 8 participants did not participate because of absences for different conditions. The result of gender distribution show that the male percentages 53.3% while the female percentage is 46.7%. and Age range between 24 and 58 with mean 35 years. The Specialty was divided into five groups, Psychiatrist physician 11.1%, Psychiatric nurse 41.1%, Practical nurse 2.2%, Psychologist 24.4%,and Sociologist 21.2%. Descriptive statistics indicated that that mental health professionals most of participants reflects positive knowledge toward talking therapies with mean 72.9, counseling therapy with mean 86,05, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mean 67,75, family therapy with mean 72.6, Group psychotherapy with mean 62,2, and motivational interview with mean 64,95,.Their attitudes toward talking therapies were positive with mean 70.45.(Annex 1) Also participants reflects varies response to practice with mean 66.1 to counseling, 53,3 to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , 51,1 to family therapy, 48,3 to group therapy, 61,1 to Motivational Interviewing, 57,60 to talking therapy in general. And 85,6 of participant have sufficient knowledge of communication skills as a basis in the talking therapy process but 72,2 of participant Said they needs training courses in talking therapy to improve knowledge and application into practice ,Also mental health professionals who have postgraduate studies have a higher level of and positive knowledge compared to those who have diploma or bachelor degree with a mean difference 5.161 and P value 0.026, participants who have (6 – 12) years of experience have higher knowledge compared to those who have less years of experience (5 years and less), mean difference was – 7.390 and P value was 0.003.(Annex 1) Correlation analyses indicated that there was no significant relationship between mental health professional's knowledge, attitudes and practice toward talking therapies and sociodemographic characteristics. he study conclude that with minimal education and training we can improve the knowledge and practice about talking therapies among community mental health professionals and also make their attitude positive regarding it.