Differences and similarities in perception of schizophrenia between physicians and the general population in Quebec

This paper presents results concerning the perceptions and attitudes of Quebec physicians towards patients with schizophrenia and compares data obtained from a previous poll to data drawn from answers of five common questions asked to the general population. A short questionnaire with 5 items selected earlier from a broader questionnaire submitted to the general population, has been distributed to Quebec physicians. These items inquired about the perceptions and attitudes of physicians towards schizophrenia. A randomized sample of physicians was performed. Three thousand and five hundred (3 500) physicians were selected and distributed questionnaires. A response rate of 29 %, a little more than one thousand (1003 responses) was observed, 46 % women and 54 % men. The authors have found significant differences between physicians and the general population in the tendency of wanting to offer help to those suffering from schizophrenia (physicians = 58 % versus general population : 45 %). Also, a higher percentage of physicians (72 %) have expressed feelings of compassion towards patients with schizophrenia versus 27 % in the general population. Results indicate that physicians, with a family member suffering from schizophrenia, are less comfortable discussing openly about the family member's illness (26 % versus 48 %). With regards to preconception of the severity of schizophrenia, in the field of health, and more specifically mental health, there are no differences observed amongst the physicians and the general population.