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Catthoor K, De Hert M, De Loof H, Jongeneelen I, Wuyts Y, Van den Broeck K. Psychiatrists and other medical professionals in Belgium show a substantial lack of knowledge about poverty. Eur Psychiatry 2023; 66:e60. [PMID: 37458201 PMCID: PMC10486249 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The bidirectional relationship between poverty and poor physical and mental health is well-known. All physicians should have sufficient knowledge on poverty as a social determinant and its impact on (mental) health. The knowledge of poverty in physicians is seldom investigated. An online and paper survey was circulated in March/April 2022 in Belgium, to assess physician's opinions about and attitudes toward patients in poverty. Not only was interest in the subject rather low, but there were also substantial contradictions in the responses. The lack of knowledge about poverty among physicians leads to reduced quality of medical care for this target group. This is an individual medical-ethical and societal problem. We suggest 10 point-action plan for policymakers, educational institutions, and physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Catthoor
- Estates-General of Mental Health, Kortenberg, Belgium
- Flemish Association of Psychiatry, Kortenberg, Belgium
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen, Psychiatrisch Ziekenhuis Stuivenberg, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marc De Hert
- Flemish Association of Psychiatry, Kortenberg, Belgium
- University Psychiatric Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Centre for Clinical Psychiatry, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Antwerp Health Law and Ethics Chair, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hans De Loof
- Estates-General of Mental Health, Kortenberg, Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ingrid Jongeneelen
- Estates-General of Mental Health, Kortenberg, Belgium
- UilenSpiegel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yves Wuyts
- Estates-General of Mental Health, Kortenberg, Belgium
- Zorgnet-Icuro, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kris Van den Broeck
- Estates-General of Mental Health, Kortenberg, Belgium
- Flemish Association of Psychiatry, Kortenberg, Belgium
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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