Title: Stigma: Quantification of Stigma for clinical assessment: A paradigm shift in anti-stigma intervention.

Author

Amresh Shrivastava 1 *, Yves Bureau 2, Nitika Riwari 3, Cheryl Forchuk 4, Ranjith Chandrasena 5

Affiliation

1,4,5, .Associate Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Western Ontario, 2,3 Lawson Health Research Institute . . * Presenting author

Abstract: Stigma is a clinical risk and a barrier to treatment. It is one of the factor closely related to suicide, violence and delayed intervention. We present finding of a working group on ‘measurement of stigma in day to day clinical setting to minimize the risk and improve outcome of schizophrenia

"Stigma is a process that shames individuals. One group that Experiences more stigma than the general population is people suffering From mental illnesses. Stigma also influences treatment and results in Poor outcomes as those afflicted with mental illness may delay treatment or if treated become poor adherers. We propose to develop and Administer a clinician delivered tool (scale) that will measure four Source domains of stigma; 1) Personal, 2) Family, 3), Social, and 4) Illness. We will also implement a section to determine the patients’ Understanding of their illness. This kind of a measurement and tracking of a patient's stigma level, during the course of treatment, is unique and novel. Until now, stigma had been addressed at a group level with Broad stroke efforts of reducing stigma, such as marketing efforts, Counseling, public speeches etc. We aim to take this one step forward and clinically monitor the patient's journey as it relates to stigma; Translate their level of stigma to treatment adherence and understanding of illness; and most of all reduce a patient's stigma by employing customized one-on-one intervention techniques to reduce the effect of Stigma on treatment. Consequently, this measure should allow the Clinician to target specific stigma domains. The resulting Individualised treatment of stigma should result in a better disease Outcome."