Open AccessA Structured Intervention for Medical Students Significantly Improves Awareness of Stigmatisation in Visible Chronic Skin Diseases: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Rachel Sommer,
Natascha-Alexandra Weinberger,
Regina von Spreckelsen,
Ulrich Mrowietz,
Maximilian Schielein,
Claudia Luck-Sikorski,
Matthias Augustin
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
acta dermato-venereologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.982
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1651-2057
pISSN - 0001-5555
DOI - 10.2340/actadv.v101.894
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , medicine , randomized controlled trial , significant difference , mean difference , clinical psychology , psychology , physical therapy , psychiatry , confidence interval
People with visible skin diseases often experience stigmatisation. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a new intervention for medical students to counter the stigmatisation of people with skin diseases. The intervention was evaluated using a randomised controlled design. Effectiveness was assessed at 3 time points. Data from 127 participants were analysed. Regarding the outcome “social distance”, a significant difference between the measurement points was observed for the intervention group (χ2(2) = 54.32, p < 0.001), which also showed a significant effect on agreement with negative stereotypes (F(1.67, 118.67) = 23.83, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.25). Regarding the outcome “agreement with disease-related misconceptions”, a significant difference between the measurement time points was observed for the intervention group (χ2(2) = 46.33, p < 0.001); similar results were found for the outcome “stigmatising behaviour” (F(1.86, 131.89) = 6.16, p = 0.003, partial η2 = 0.08). The results should encourage medical faculties to invest in such courses in order to prevent stigmatisation of people with skin diseases.