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. 2021 Feb 16;44(1):10–16. doi: 10.1177/0253717620982326

Table 4.

Responses of Medical Students to Mental health Subscale of Barriers to Healthcare-Seeking Qestionnaire

S. No. Barrier Item Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree Not Mentioned
1 I do not believe a medical student would have a mental health problem that would require the services of a psychologist/psychiatrist 163 (38.4%) 164 (38.6%) 66 (15.5%) 24 (5.6%) 8 (1.9%)
2 If I experience a mental health problem, it may be viewed as a sign of weakness by my teachers and peers 69 (16.2%) 152 (35.8%) 177 (41.6%) 25 (5.9%) 2 (0.5%)
3 I would know the necessary steps to take to arrange an appointment for myself with psychiatry department if needed 49 (11.5%) 78 (18.4%) 234 (55.1%) 62 (14.6%) 2 (0.5%)
4 I would know the necessary steps to take to arrange an appointment for myself with a private psychologist/psychiatrist outside my institute if needed 58 (13.6%) 103 (24.2%) 210 (49.4%) 50 (11.8%) 4 (0.9%)
5 I would have the time to make and attend an appointment with a psychologist/psychiatrist if needed 38 (8.9%) 77 (18.1%) 247 (58.1%) 56 (13.2%) 7 (1.6%)
6 I do not believe that a mental health appointment would be beneficial for myself, as I do not believe a psychologist/psychiatrist could tell me anything I do not already know 98 (23.1%) 201 (47.3%) 100 (23.5%) 23 (5.4%) 3 (0.7%)
7 If I were to experience symptoms of a mental health problem, I would think that perhaps I do not have a mental health problem at all but rather I am simply overidentifying with the symptoms described in my textbooks and classes 54 (12.7%) 160 (37.6%) 182 (42.8%) 23 (5.4%) 6 (1.4%)
8 I would feel that seeking help in psychiatry department would somehow hamper my grades or educational opportunities within my institute and/or my future career prospects 94 (22.1%) 141 (33.2%) 147 (34.6%) 37 (8.7%) 6 (1.4%)
9 If I needed mental health care, I would be worried that I would either know the psychologist/psychiatrist at my institute or would have to have future dealings with him or her during my period of study here 64 (15.1%) 153 (36%) 173 (40.7%) 32 (7.5%) 3 (0.7%)
10 It is more convenient for me to consult informally with a peer, senior, or consultant about my mental health problems than to make a formal documented consultation with prior appointment 46 (10.8%) 94 (22.1%) 244 (57.4%) 37 (8.7%) 4 (0.9%)
11 I would feel comfortable self-diagnosing my own mental health problems 64 (15.1%) 143 (33.6%) 181 (42.6%) 36 (8.5%) 1 (0.2%)
12 If I needed to see a psychologist/psychiatrist at my institute psychiatry department, I would be worried about confidentiality, especially about my classmates and/or teachers finding out 54 (12.7%) 135 (31.8%) 168 (39.5%) 65 (15.3%) 3 (0.7%)
13 If I choose to see a psychologist/psychiatrist at my institute for my mental health problems, I would be socially ostracized and isolated by my peers 69 (16.2%) 194 (45.6%) 132 (31.1%) 26 (6.1%) 4 (0.9%)
14 I would prefer alternative and complementary medicine (like homoeopathy or Ayurveda) for treatment of mental health problems 124 (29.2%) 176 (41.4%) 97 (22.8%) 26 (6.1%) 2 (0.5%)