Qatar mental health law: Knowledge and attitude among healthcare workers

Qatar's mental health law (MHL) is designed to regulate the management of individuals with mental illness and to safeguard their rights and is currently in the process of implementation. Studies from countries with established MHL systems reveal varying attitudes of stakeholders towards this law. This study aimed to assess awareness and attitudes of healthcare workers (HCWs) to proposed MHL provisions in Qatar.

A cross-sectional survey using a specially designed online questionnaire was carried out. In addition to socio-demographic information, responses to questions exploring attitudes to MHL provisions were recorded on a 5-point Likert scale, which were then analysed statistically and thematically. The survey was carried out from 10^th October 2021 to 30^th November 2021, at the state-run Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar.

Over a thousand (n = 1006) respondents participated in the survey. The Cronbach's alpha estimate for the attitudes subsection of the questionnaire was 87% (95% CI: 86% to 88%). This is indicative of a very good internal consistency. The overall mean attitude score was 57.6 points (out of a maximum possible 80 points), indicative of a generally positive attitude (SD = 9.6 points). Most respondents agreed that the law will have a positive impact on patient rights, access to treatment, timely assessment, and management. However, only around a third (35.3%) reported that they had received any training around the law. Thematic analyses highlighted that respondents believed that the law would align local practice with International human rights standards and that the implementation would improve mental healthcare in general and improve access to care. Concerns around a lack of adequate training and a lack of focus on the mental health of healthcare staff were the other main themes.

This is the first and the largest survey of its kind in the region and highlights that there is an overall positive attitude towards this law in Qatar among HCWs. This augurs well for the full implementation and operationalisation of this law.