Patient Attitudes and Perceived Barriers Toward Mental Health Treatment Options in a Rural Student-Run Clinic

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Healthcare Access
• Rural Health

Background:

• Mental health condition prevalence is similar in rural and non-rural areas, yet access to care is limited in rural settings.
• Patient attitudes toward mental health treatments in rural populations are understudied, despite potential benefits of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) as an adjunct therapy.
• Physicians utilizing OMT are more prevalent in rural areas, highlighting the importance of understanding rural patient preferences for mental health modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize patient attitudes, beliefs, and perceived barriers regarding mental health treatment options and access in a rural, underserved clinic.
• To explore patient understanding and preferences for various mental health modalities, including osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to adult patients at a single rural outpatient clinic over four months in 2022.
• The survey included Likert scale questions on mental health treatment options, access, knowledge, and barriers, with qualitative questions on OMT.
• Surveys were available in both English and Spanish to accommodate diverse patient populations.

Main Results:

• Out of 46 respondents, therapy, spiritual guidance, and lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise) were the most preferred mental health treatments.
• Cost of treatment was identified as a significant logistical barrier by 61% of respondents.
• A substantial majority (80.5%) of respondents reported a poor understanding of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).

Conclusions:

• Understanding rural patients' attitudes and perceived barriers is crucial for improving mental health care outcomes and access.
• Findings suggest a need for enhanced patient education on available mental health treatments, including OMT, and strategies to mitigate cost barriers.
• Informing policy and clinical practice based on patient preferences can expand the availability and utilization of diverse mental health treatment modalities in underserved rural areas.