Understanding the experiences of healthcare professionals regarding personality disorder
Overview
This 2019 SANE Australia study explored healthcare professionals' experiences treating personality disorder through surveys (146 participants) and interviews (9 participants). Key findings included inadequate university training requiring self-funded specialist education, widespread witnessing of colleague stigma (94%), positive personal attitudes despite systemic challenges, and significant gaps in mental health system funding and services. The study revealed a "patchwork approach" to care due to resource limitations, with calls for improved training and system redesign.
Individual authors
- Elise Carrotte - Associate Investigator, Research Officer, SANE Australia
- Michael Hartup - Associate Investigator, Research and Policy Officer, SANE Australia
- Dr Michelle Blanchard - Principal Investigator, Deputy CEO of SANE Australia and Director of Anne Deveson Research Centre
Key insights
Key Insights:
- Most healthcare professionals received minimal personality disorder training during university studies
- Additional specialist training was often self-directed and self-funded by practitioners
- 94% witnessed colleagues displaying stigmatizing attitudes toward personality disorder patients
- Borderline personality disorder was the most commonly encountered diagnosis in practice
- Current mental health systems inadequately meet personality disorder treatment needs
- Less stigmatizing attitudes correlated with more collaborative patient decision-making approaches
- DBT and CBT were most common treatments, though evidence mixed
- Healthcare professionals reported "patchwork approach" due to limited funding and resources
Did this resource draw on transformative evidence?
This document was based on experiential expertise. It surveyed 146 healthcare professionals and conducted in-depth interviews with 9 practitioners who had direct experience working with people living with personality disorder. The research captured real-world clinical experiences, challenges, training gaps, and attitudes from frontline healthcare workers actively treating this population.
This document was heavily based on practice wisdom. It captured accumulated knowledge from experienced healthcare professionals (average 16.2 years experience) who shared insights about effective approaches, common challenges, what works in real-world settings, and lessons learned from treating people with personality disorder across diverse clinical contexts and organizational settings.
Yes, this document was based on research and evidence. It employed rigorous mixed-methods research including validated scales (SDM-Q-Doc, OMS-HC), statistical analysis, thematic coding, and systematic data collection. The study also referenced extensive literature, evidence-based treatment guidelines (NHMRC, Project Air), and compared findings against established research on personality disorder treatment.
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Resource type
Evidence Summary