[Training in the detection of bipolar disorders for psychologists and primary health agents: a pilot study]

At present, Bipolar Disorders are considered a real public health problem. There is an agreement that it is a priority to solve the existent flaws as regards the certainty of a correct and timely diagnosis of these disorders. This paper report the results of a pilot experience in workshops of training in the detection of Bipolar Disorders aimed at psychologists and primary health agents.

A survey was carried out before and after the training sessions with the aim of measuring prior knowledge about bipolar disorders and thus evaluating the impact of the training workshops.

227 people completed the surveys. The results showed a scarce knowledge about these disorders, even among those professionals who acknowledged having bipolar patients in treatment and who had interest in being trained. On the other hand, these surveys revealed significant changes in their knowledge of bipolar disorders.

This pilot experience suggests that with low cost events such as the organized workshops it would be possible to increase the ability of timely detection of bipolar disorders in the key agents of the health system. Reducing frequents delays and mistakes in the diagnosis of these disorders which would determine a significant reduction in their morbid impact.