Solutions to tackle the mental health consequences of the economic recession: A qualitative study integrating primary health care users and professionals’ perspectives

Health Policy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (12) ◽  
pp. 1267-1274
Author(s):  
Ana Antunes ◽  
Diana Frasquilho ◽  
Joana R. Zózimo ◽  
Manuela Silva ◽  
Graça Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Primary Health

scholarly journals Mental Health Stigma at Primary Health Care Centres in Lebanon: Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Racha Abi Hana ◽  
Maguy Arnous ◽  
Eva Heim ◽  
Anaïs Aeschlimann ◽  
Mirja Koschorke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
System Level ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Primary Health

Abstract Background Mental health related stigma is a global public health concern and is considered a major barrier to seeking care. In this study, we explored the role of stigma as a barrier to scaling up mental health services in primary health care (PHC) centres in Lebanon. We focused on the experiences of PHC workers, while providing services to patients with mental disorders, and the perceptions of stigma or discrimination among individuals with mental illness and their families. This study was part of a larger multinational stigma reduction programme, called INDIGO-PRIMARY.Method Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n=46) were carried out, with policy makers (n=3), PHC management (n=4), PHC staff (n=24), service users and family members (n=15). The topic guides explored knowledge, implicit and explicit attitudes of staff, challenges of providing treatment, and patient outcomes including experiences of stigma. All interviews were coded using NVivo and analysed using a thematic coding framework.Results Results were analysed at five stigma-related layers: from structural stigma at the system level, down to provider-based stigma at PHC level, community level stigma, family stigma and self-stigma. Interestingly at the PHC level, stigma reporting differed among staff according to a power gradient. Service users described positive experiences in PHC. Nurses and social workers did not explicitly report incidents of stigma or discrimination but describing patients with mental health disorders as violent or uncooperative, underscored internalized negative views on mental health. GPs and directors were more outspoken than nurses regarding the challenges faced when dealing with mental health patients. Nevertheless, mental health professionals reported that things have been getting increasingly better over recent years.Conclusions This qualitative study revealed that stigma was still a major concern that affects patients with mental disorders and provided a deeper understanding on what should be done to decrease stigma at PHC centres; first addressing structural stigma by revising laws, second shaping interpersonal stigma, third commitment of PHC management to deliver high quality mental health integrated services, and fourth addressing intrapersonal stigma by building public empathy.

The impact of the economic crisis on mental health in Portugal: A qualitative approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S567-S567
Author(s):  
A. Antunes ◽  
D. Frasquilho ◽  
M. Silva ◽  
G. Cardoso ◽  
J. Ferrão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
System Level ◽  
Health Priorities ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionPortugal is among the European countries with higher prevalence of mental disorders, associated with substantial unmet needs for treatment. Literature on the impact of the economic recession shows that an increased risk of mental health problems is likely to occur. Despite possible growing needs, the budget cuts at the health system level may have decreased the adequacy of care response. Understanding the impacts of the recession in psychological distress and in access and quality of care is imperative to set public health priorities.ObjectivesResorting to a qualitative approach, this study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of primary health care users and professionals during the recession in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.AimsProvide in depth information regarding the specific contexts and subjective experiences of key informants during the economic recession that started in 2008.MethodsThis study design resorts to focus groups with primary health care users and semi-structured interviews with health professionals. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive approach and thematic analysis were performed, using NVivo 10.ResultsThis study explores the views and insights of users and health professionals regarding their socio-economic context, mental health needs, changes in health services and possible solutions to alleviate the impact of the economic recession.ConclusionsBeing based on the perspectives of users and health professionals, this approach will complement epidemiological evidence for policy-making.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Mental Health Services in Rural China: A Qualitative Study of Primary Health Care Providers

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenyu Ma ◽  
Hui Huang ◽  
Qiang Chen ◽  
Faqin Chen ◽  
Abu S. Abdullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Primary Health Care Providers

This study aimed to understand the challenges that primary health care providers faced in the process of delivering mental healthcare and assess their attitudes towards patients with mental health problems. In-depth interviews were conducted among 42 primary health care providers in two counties of Guangxi province, China. All interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed thematically. Primary health care providers in both counties faced the same difficulties: lack of professional knowledge, fear of patients’ attack, more extra work, and less subsidies. However, most of primary health care providers (30/42) were still willing to do mental healthcare management. All the interviewees considered that communication skills with patients and their family members, proper attitude (without discrimination), and the professional knowledge of mental health are required. There are still several participants (15/42) who showed negative attitude toward mental disorders. Nearly all the respondents (39/42) emphasized the importance of increasing their income or subsidies by the government. This qualitative study provides insights into mental health services in rural communities of Guangxi and identified issues that could be considered in engaging primary health care providers in the management of mental disorders.

Disaster Management in Rural and Remote Primary Health Care: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-369
Author(s):  
Katie A. Willson ◽  
Gerard J. FitzGerald ◽  
David Lim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Rural And Remote ◽  
Primary Health

AbstractObjective:This scoping review aims to map the roles of rural and remote primary health care professionals (PHCPs) during disasters.Introduction:Disasters can have catastrophic impacts on society and are broadly classified into natural events, man-made incidents, or a mixture of both. The PHCPs working in rural and remote communities face additional challenges when dealing with disasters and have significant roles during the Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (PPRR) stages of disaster management.Methods:A Johanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology was utilized, and the search was conducted over seven electronic databases according to a priori protocol.Results:Forty-one papers were included and sixty-one roles were identified across the four stages of disaster management. The majority of disasters described within the literature were natural events and pandemics. Before a disaster occurs, PHCPs can build individual resilience through education. As recognized and respected leaders within their community, PHCPs are invaluable in assisting with disaster preparedness through being involved in organizations’ planning policies and contributing to natural disaster and pandemic surveillance. Key roles during the response stage include accommodating patient surge, triage, maintaining the health of the remaining population, instituting infection control, and ensuring a team-based approach to mental health care during the disaster. In the aftermath and recovery stage, rural and remote PHCPs provide long-term follow up, assisting patients in accessing post-disaster support including delivery of mental health care.Conclusion:Rural and remote PHCPs play significant roles within their community throughout the continuum of disaster management. As a consequence of their flexible scope of practice, PHCPs are well-placed to be involved during all stages of disaster, from building of community resilience and contributing to early alert of pandemics, to participating in the direct response when a disaster occurs and leading the way to recovery.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Ghanaian traditional health practitioners, primary health care workers, service users and caregivers regarding collaboration for mental health care

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Nyame ◽  
Edward Adiibokah ◽  
Yasmin Mohammed ◽  
Victor C. Doku ◽  
Caleb Othieno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Traditional Health ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Traditional Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Practitioners

Abstract Background In low- and middle-income countries, the paucity of conventional health services means that many people with mental health problems rely on traditional health practitioners (THPs). This paper examines the possibility of forging partnerships at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level in two geopolitical regions of Ghana, to maximize the benefits to both health systems. Methods The study was a qualitative cross-sectional survey. Eight (8) focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted between February and April 2014. The views of THPs, PHC providers, service users (i.e. patients) and their caregivers, on the perceived benefits, barriers and facilitators of forging partnerships were examined. A thematic framework approach was employed for analysis. Results The study revealed that underlying the widespread approval of forging partnerships, there were mutual undertones of suspicion. While PHC providers were mainly concerned that THPs may incur harms to service users (e.g., through delays in care pathways and human rights abuses), service users and their caregivers highlighted the failure of conventional medical care to meet their healthcare needs. There are practical challenges to these collaborations, including the lack of options to adequately deal with human rights issues such as some patients being chained and exposed to the vagaries of the weather at THPs. There is also the issue of the frequent shortage of psychotropic medication at PHCs. Conclusion Addressing these barriers could enhance partnerships. There is also a need to educate all providers, which should include sessions clarifying the potential value of such partnerships.

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