Journal article
Investigating the Diagnostic Overshadowing Bias in Bangladeshi Health Professionals
Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, Vol.14(1), pp.89-106
2021
Abstract
Introduction: Intellectual disability (ID) and co-morbid mental health problems are more common in developing countries such as Bangladesh. However, little is known about how Bangladeshi health practitioners diagnose mental health disorders in people with an ID. Studies in developed countries have explored the impact of the diagnostic overshadowing bias (DOB): the tendency for health practitioners to misattribute mental health symptomology to a client's ID, rather than a separate mental health disorder. To date, no study has investigated the presence of the DOB in Bangladesh. Method: A range of Bangladeshi health practitioners (N = 243) were randomly assigned a clinical vignette describing a client displaying symptoms of a mental health disorder. Vignette 1 described a client with an IQ of 105 who graduated from secondary school. Vignette 2 described a client with an IQ of 55 who attended special education. All other details were identical. Participants rated the likelihood of seven mental health diagnoses on a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Practitioners were more likely to diagnose schizophrenia, drug problems and being bullied in people with a typical IQ compared to those with an ID. Doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists appeared to be more affected by the DOB than community health workers, traditional healers, and allied health practitioners. Conclusion: Findings indicate that the bias may be present in Bangladesh healthcare professionals. The development and implementation of specific training programs to meet the differing needs of practitioners, across the health fields are recommended.
Details
- Title
- Investigating the Diagnostic Overshadowing Bias in Bangladeshi Health Professionals
- Authors
- Kylie Hinde (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - LegacyJonathan Mason (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - LegacyLee Kannis-Dymand (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - LegacyPrudence Millear (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - LegacyRazia Sultana (Author) - Centre of the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed
- Publication details
- Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, Vol.14(1), pp.89-106
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Inc.
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1080/19315864.2020.1856244
- ISSN
- 1931-5872
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Psychology; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; Engage Research Lab; Sustainability Research Centre; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99498408302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
17 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Education, Special
- Psychiatry
- Rehabilitation
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites