[Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals to Extremism and Treatment Options]

In view of the cruelty of acts of terrorism and violent extremism, it is often inconceivable what the underlying motives are. Analyzes of the attacks in Ansbach (2016), Halle (2019) and Hanau (2020) showed a picture of different psychological conspicuities among the perpetrators, which highlights the need to involve health care professionals in the prevention of extremism. Against this background, the treatment of people with extremist attitudes appears to be crucial in order to prevent negative consequences for those affected, but also for society.

Within the framework of an anonymous online survey, physicians and psychological psychotherapists were asked about previous experiences, attitudes and wishes regarding the treatment of patients with extremist attitudes. Furthermore, data on their own work was collected.

A total of 364 physicians (18%), psychological psychotherapists (72%) and participants with other job descriptions (10%) took part in the study. Only one fifth state that they felt well trained in the subject. About half of the respondents would offer a place in therapy (if they could decide on the patients themselves), likewise about half have already dealt with the topic of extremism and the majority see a need to deal with the topic more in the future and indicate a need for further training. The analyses show that physicians have so far dealt with the topic somewhat more than those with psychological psychotherapeutic training, and professionals in private practive are more likely to see a connection between extremism and psychiatric illnesses than professionals in hospitals, but would be less willing to offer patients with extremist attitudes a place in therapy.

Physicians and psychotherapists need further training on extremisms and should be better prepared fo the challenges of treating patients in this context.

In order to increase the chances of providing adequate care for mentally ill people with extremist attitutdes, health professionals should be better prepared for the topic in the future, for example through further training or opportunities for cooperation.