Moshe Abramowitz - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
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Papers by Moshe Abramowitz
The Israel journal of psychiatry and related sciences, 2008
Although there is a consensus that mental health services should be provided on the basis of need... more Although there is a consensus that mental health services should be provided on the basis of need, the concept of client needs differs substantially among professionals, patients and involved family members. The aim of the present study was to identify the needs of patients repeatedly hospitalized with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders and to compare them with the needs rated by their nursing staff and relatives. Using the Camber well Assessment of Need (CAN), we surveyed 52 consecutive voluntarily re-admitted inpatients aged 18- 65 fulfilling the ICD-10 criteria for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Analysis of variance and post-hoc t-test single comparisons were performed to examine the between-groups differences in the number of unmet needs rated by patients, clinical staff and family members. Significant differences in the perceptions of the patients and staff occurred in only 6 of the 22 CAN domains, with the patients rating higher the needs for "infor...
The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, Feb 1, 2007
Introduction: Recruitment of medical students to the field of psychiatry has been on the decline ... more Introduction: Recruitment of medical students to the field of psychiatry has been on the decline in the western world over the last decades. Trends in students' interest in psychiatry is a topic of research studied by medical educators in many countries. Our aim was to examine changes in the attitudes of Israeli medical students toward different specialties, including psychiatry, over the course of their training. We attempted to identify trends and patterns in these perceptions. Method: A standard validated 26-item questionnaire was administered to 307 medical students during their clinical years at the Hebrew University Medical School in [2003][2004]. The response rate of the current survey was 69%. The questionnaire evaluated medical students' opinions and perceptions towards psychiatry, compared with other medical specialties. The results were compared with those found by Abramowitz and Gofrit in 2005 dealing with the same student population during their preclinical studies in 2000-2002. Results: Psychiatry was ranked as the least attractive specialty by the whole population of students in their clinical years (4th-6th year) with an average of 14.9% of students regarding psychiatry as a possible career option; 32.8% of the same cohort considered psychiatry as a specialty during the preclinical years in medical school. Significantly, psychiatry's attractiveness was rated the lowest in many aspects, and most attractive in lifestyle. These opinions showed a marked deterioration from those expressed by the same cohort during the preclinical years. Discussion: Attitudes toward psychiatry at the start of medical school are positive. Thus the potential for recruitment of future psychiatrists among the students is good. However, the present study showed a marked negative change in medical students' perceptions towards psychiatry as a possible career choice during their training. The problematic image of psychiatry as a profession has been documented in several countries. Our findings are similar. In addition, we identify the decline in interest in selecting psychiatry as a possible residency as occurring during the clinical training years. Programs should be targeted to those who show initial curiosity and interest in the workings of the mind and spirit.
The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ, 2011
A new approach for assessing non-cognitive attributes in medical school candidates was developed ... more A new approach for assessing non-cognitive attributes in medical school candidates was developed and implemented at the Hebrew University Medical School. The non-cognitive tests included a biographical questionnaire, a questionnaire raising theoretical dilemmas and multiple mini-interviews. To evaluate the effects of the change in the admission process on students' demographics and future career choices. A questionnaire including questions on students' background and future residency preferences was administered to first-year students accepted to medical school by the new admission system. Results were compared with previous information collected from students admitted through the old admission process. Students accepted by the new process were significantly older (22.49 vs. 21.54, P < 0.001), and more had attended other academic studies before medical school, considered other professions besides medicine, and majored in humanities combined with sciences in high school. S...
The Israel journal of psychiatry and related sciences, 2007
Recruitment of medical students to the field of psychiatry has been on the decline in the western... more Recruitment of medical students to the field of psychiatry has been on the decline in the western world over the last decades. Trends in students' interest in psychiatry is a topic of research studied by medical educators in many countries. Our aim was to examine changes in the attitudes of Israeli medical students toward different specialties, including psychiatry, over the course of their training. We attempted to identify trends and patterns in these perceptions. A standard validated 26-item questionnaire was administered to 307 medical students during their clinical years at the Hebrew University Medical School in 2003-2004. The response rate of the current survey was 69%. The questionnaire evaluated medical students' opinions and perceptions towards psychiatry, compared with other medical specialties. The results were compared with those found by Abramowitz and Gofrit in 2005 dealing with the same student population during their preclinical studies in 2000-2002. Psychia...
International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 2011
Background: The management of individuals with mental illnesses sometimes requires involuntary ho... more Background: The management of individuals with mental illnesses sometimes requires involuntary hospitalization. The Israel Mental Health Act requires that cases of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization (IPH) be periodically reviewed by the district psychiatric committee. The discussion in the committee often leads to debate regarding the need for an IPH potentially depriving the patient of his freedom. Little is known about the way in which the psychiatrists and attorneys on these committees arrive at their decisions. The present study was designed to examine the views of future doctors and attorneys concerning cases of possible IPH to determine whether their decisions would be influenced by their respective professional educational backgrounds. Methods: After compiling demographic data, we asked 170 students from each of the two disciplines what their decision would be in two hypothetical cases that dealt with the question of a prolongation of a psychiatric hospitalization. Questionnaires examining social distance and possible stigmatizing views concerning psychiatric patients were also distributed and collected. Results: The response rates for the medical and law students were, respectively, 90% and 85%. We found no differences between the medical and law students regarding their views on prolongation of a psychiatric hospitalization. This was consistent regardless of whether the hospitalization was against the patient's will or according to his wish and against the treating physicians' advice. We also found that the medical and law students had similar general views regarding psychiatric patients, but that the latter evidenced greater social distance than the former. Conclusions: Academic background and socialization were not found to influence the decisions of students regarding IPH. Educational programs and exposure to psychiatric patients during law studies are proposed to lessen psychiatric stigma and promote better understanding between members of the two disciplines.
Academic Psychiatry, 2005
The authors analyze attitudes toward psychiatry residency of Israeli medical students in preclini... more The authors analyze attitudes toward psychiatry residency of Israeli medical students in preclinical years, compared with similar U.S. data. A 23-item questionnaire was administered anonymously to 181 Israeli medical students in their preclinical years and was completed by 70% of the students present. Psychiatry was ranked most attractive as far as intellectual challenge was considered and least attractive when the degree to which it draws upon all aspects of medical training was considered. Our study shows that 32.8% of the Israeli medical students in the preclinical years consider residency in psychiatry, compared to 7.7% in the U.S. and 15.9% in Australia, using the same questionnaire and methodology. The population of students interested in family medicine and neurology, as well as those interested in the humanities, should be the source of psychiatry residents, and their faith in the psychiatric paradigm should be strengthened.
The Israel journal of psychiatry and related sciences, 2008
Although there is a consensus that mental health services should be provided on the basis of need... more Although there is a consensus that mental health services should be provided on the basis of need, the concept of client needs differs substantially among professionals, patients and involved family members. The aim of the present study was to identify the needs of patients repeatedly hospitalized with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders and to compare them with the needs rated by their nursing staff and relatives. Using the Camber well Assessment of Need (CAN), we surveyed 52 consecutive voluntarily re-admitted inpatients aged 18- 65 fulfilling the ICD-10 criteria for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Analysis of variance and post-hoc t-test single comparisons were performed to examine the between-groups differences in the number of unmet needs rated by patients, clinical staff and family members. Significant differences in the perceptions of the patients and staff occurred in only 6 of the 22 CAN domains, with the patients rating higher the needs for "infor...
The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, Feb 1, 2007
Introduction: Recruitment of medical students to the field of psychiatry has been on the decline ... more Introduction: Recruitment of medical students to the field of psychiatry has been on the decline in the western world over the last decades. Trends in students' interest in psychiatry is a topic of research studied by medical educators in many countries. Our aim was to examine changes in the attitudes of Israeli medical students toward different specialties, including psychiatry, over the course of their training. We attempted to identify trends and patterns in these perceptions. Method: A standard validated 26-item questionnaire was administered to 307 medical students during their clinical years at the Hebrew University Medical School in [2003][2004]. The response rate of the current survey was 69%. The questionnaire evaluated medical students' opinions and perceptions towards psychiatry, compared with other medical specialties. The results were compared with those found by Abramowitz and Gofrit in 2005 dealing with the same student population during their preclinical studies in 2000-2002. Results: Psychiatry was ranked as the least attractive specialty by the whole population of students in their clinical years (4th-6th year) with an average of 14.9% of students regarding psychiatry as a possible career option; 32.8% of the same cohort considered psychiatry as a specialty during the preclinical years in medical school. Significantly, psychiatry's attractiveness was rated the lowest in many aspects, and most attractive in lifestyle. These opinions showed a marked deterioration from those expressed by the same cohort during the preclinical years. Discussion: Attitudes toward psychiatry at the start of medical school are positive. Thus the potential for recruitment of future psychiatrists among the students is good. However, the present study showed a marked negative change in medical students' perceptions towards psychiatry as a possible career choice during their training. The problematic image of psychiatry as a profession has been documented in several countries. Our findings are similar. In addition, we identify the decline in interest in selecting psychiatry as a possible residency as occurring during the clinical training years. Programs should be targeted to those who show initial curiosity and interest in the workings of the mind and spirit.
The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ, 2011
A new approach for assessing non-cognitive attributes in medical school candidates was developed ... more A new approach for assessing non-cognitive attributes in medical school candidates was developed and implemented at the Hebrew University Medical School. The non-cognitive tests included a biographical questionnaire, a questionnaire raising theoretical dilemmas and multiple mini-interviews. To evaluate the effects of the change in the admission process on students' demographics and future career choices. A questionnaire including questions on students' background and future residency preferences was administered to first-year students accepted to medical school by the new admission system. Results were compared with previous information collected from students admitted through the old admission process. Students accepted by the new process were significantly older (22.49 vs. 21.54, P < 0.001), and more had attended other academic studies before medical school, considered other professions besides medicine, and majored in humanities combined with sciences in high school. S...
The Israel journal of psychiatry and related sciences, 2007
Recruitment of medical students to the field of psychiatry has been on the decline in the western... more Recruitment of medical students to the field of psychiatry has been on the decline in the western world over the last decades. Trends in students' interest in psychiatry is a topic of research studied by medical educators in many countries. Our aim was to examine changes in the attitudes of Israeli medical students toward different specialties, including psychiatry, over the course of their training. We attempted to identify trends and patterns in these perceptions. A standard validated 26-item questionnaire was administered to 307 medical students during their clinical years at the Hebrew University Medical School in 2003-2004. The response rate of the current survey was 69%. The questionnaire evaluated medical students' opinions and perceptions towards psychiatry, compared with other medical specialties. The results were compared with those found by Abramowitz and Gofrit in 2005 dealing with the same student population during their preclinical studies in 2000-2002. Psychia...
International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 2011
Background: The management of individuals with mental illnesses sometimes requires involuntary ho... more Background: The management of individuals with mental illnesses sometimes requires involuntary hospitalization. The Israel Mental Health Act requires that cases of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization (IPH) be periodically reviewed by the district psychiatric committee. The discussion in the committee often leads to debate regarding the need for an IPH potentially depriving the patient of his freedom. Little is known about the way in which the psychiatrists and attorneys on these committees arrive at their decisions. The present study was designed to examine the views of future doctors and attorneys concerning cases of possible IPH to determine whether their decisions would be influenced by their respective professional educational backgrounds. Methods: After compiling demographic data, we asked 170 students from each of the two disciplines what their decision would be in two hypothetical cases that dealt with the question of a prolongation of a psychiatric hospitalization. Questionnaires examining social distance and possible stigmatizing views concerning psychiatric patients were also distributed and collected. Results: The response rates for the medical and law students were, respectively, 90% and 85%. We found no differences between the medical and law students regarding their views on prolongation of a psychiatric hospitalization. This was consistent regardless of whether the hospitalization was against the patient's will or according to his wish and against the treating physicians' advice. We also found that the medical and law students had similar general views regarding psychiatric patients, but that the latter evidenced greater social distance than the former. Conclusions: Academic background and socialization were not found to influence the decisions of students regarding IPH. Educational programs and exposure to psychiatric patients during law studies are proposed to lessen psychiatric stigma and promote better understanding between members of the two disciplines.
Academic Psychiatry, 2005
The authors analyze attitudes toward psychiatry residency of Israeli medical students in preclini... more The authors analyze attitudes toward psychiatry residency of Israeli medical students in preclinical years, compared with similar U.S. data. A 23-item questionnaire was administered anonymously to 181 Israeli medical students in their preclinical years and was completed by 70% of the students present. Psychiatry was ranked most attractive as far as intellectual challenge was considered and least attractive when the degree to which it draws upon all aspects of medical training was considered. Our study shows that 32.8% of the Israeli medical students in the preclinical years consider residency in psychiatry, compared to 7.7% in the U.S. and 15.9% in Australia, using the same questionnaire and methodology. The population of students interested in family medicine and neurology, as well as those interested in the humanities, should be the source of psychiatry residents, and their faith in the psychiatric paradigm should be strengthened.