scholarly journals Experience of implementing new mental health indicators within information systems in six low- and middle-income countries

BJPsych Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalini Ahuja ◽  
Charlotte Hanlon ◽  
Dan Chisholm ◽  
Maya Semrau ◽  
Dristy Gurung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
African Countries

BackgroundSuccessful scale-up of integrated primary mental healthcare requires routine monitoring of key programme performance indicators. A consensus set of mental health indicators has been proposed but evidence on their use in routine settings is lacking.AimsTo assess the acceptability, feasibility, perceived costs and sustainability of implementing indicators relating to integrated mental health service coverage in six South Asian (India, Nepal) and sub-Saharan African countries (Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda).MethodA qualitative study using semi-structured key informant interviews (n= 128) was conducted. The ‘Performance of Routine Information Systems’ framework served as the basis for a coding framework covering three main categories related to the performance of new tools introduced to collect data on mental health indicators: (1) technical; (2) organisation; and (3) behavioural determinants.ResultsMost mental health indicators were deemed relevant and potentially useful for improving care, and therefore acceptable to end users. Exceptions were indicators on functionality, cost and severity. The simplicity of the data-capturing formats contributed to the feasibility of using forms to generate data on mental health indicators. Health workers reported increasing confidence in their capacity to record the mental health data and minimal additional cost to initiate mental health reporting. However, overstretched primary care staff and the time-consuming reporting process affected perceived sustainability.ConclusionsUse of the newly developed, contextually appropriate mental health indicators in health facilities providing primary care services was seen largely to be feasible in the six Emerald countries, mainly because of the simplicity of the forms and continued support in the design and implementation stage. However, approaches to implementation of new forms generating data on mental health indicators need to be customised to the specific health system context of different countries. Further work is needed to identify ways to utilise mental health data to monitor and improve the quality of mental health services.Declaration of interestNone.

scholarly journals Brain drain: a challenge to global mental health

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 61-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bibilola D. Oladeji ◽  
Oye Gureje
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Brain Drain ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Psychiatric Training ◽  
Skilled Workers ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Middle Income

The brain drain of medical professionals from lower-income to higher-income countries contributes to the current inequity that characterises access to mental healthcare by those in need across the world and hinders efforts to scale up mental health services in resource-constrained settings, especially in Nigeria and other West African countries. The migration of skilled workers is driven by a combination of the globalisation of the labour market and the ability of highly resourced countries to attract and retain specialists from poorer countries. If we are to ameliorate the worldwide shortage of mental health professionals, we need to find innovative ways of attracting young doctors into psychiatric training in all countries. We must also introduce measures to improve health worker retention in low- and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals Technology and implementation science to forge the future of evidence-based psychotherapies: the PRIDE scale-up study

2020 ◽  
pp. ebmental-2020-300199
Author(s):  
Milton L Wainberg ◽  
Maria Lídia Gouveia ◽  
Melissa Ann Stockton ◽  
Paulino Feliciano ◽  
Antonio Suleman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
The Future

ObjectiveTo report the interim results from the training of providers inevidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) and use of mobile applications.Design and SettingThe Partnerships in Research to Implement and Disseminate Sustainable and Scalable Evidence (PRIDE) study is a cluster-randomised hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial comparing three delivery pathways for integrating comprehensive mental healthcare into primary care in Mozambique. Innovations include the use of EBPs and scaling-up of task-shifted mental health services using mobile applications.Main outcome measuresWe examined EBP training attendance, certification, knowledge and intentions to deliver each component. We collected qualitative data through rapid ethnography and focus groups. We tracked the use of the mobile applications to investigate early reach of a valid screening tool (Electronic Mental Wellness Tool) and the roll out of the EBPsParticipantsPsychiatric technicians and primary care providers trained in the EBPs.ResultsPRIDE has trained 110 EBP providers, supervisors and trainers and will train 279 community health workers in upcoming months. The trainings improved knowledge about the EBPs and trainees indicated strong intentions to deliver the EBP core components. Trained providers began using the mobile applications and appear to identify cases and provide appropriate treatment.ConclusionsThe future of EBPs requires implementation within existing systems of care with fidelity to their core evidence-based components. To sustainably address the vast mental health treatment gap globally, EBP implementation demands: expanding the mental health workforce by training existing human resources; sequential use of EBPs to comprehensively treat mental disorders and their comorbid presentations and leveraging digital screening and treatment applications.

scholarly journals How data provided by the Brazilian information system of primary care have been used by researchers

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 1617-1630
Author(s):  
Fernando Rocha Lucena Lopes ◽  
Karolinne Souza Monteiro ◽  
Silvana Santos
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Care Information ◽  
Epidemiological Profile ◽  
Object Of Study

In this article, we have investigated how researchers use the data provided by the Brazilian Information System of Primary Care . We also searched, for the first time, studies that evaluated the quality and reliability of the information provided by the Primary Care Information System. An integrative review of the literature was performed using the keywords ‘information systems, primary care and SIAB’ on search databases, and 53 of 174 articles were selected. These publications were classified into two large subgroups: those using the Primary Care Information System as ‘data source’ and those that took it as the ‘object of study’. The first group included 35 studies, 18 of which used demographic and social health data records, and nine described data about diseases, specifically hypertension and diabetes. These data were used by researchers for association with health indicators (20%) or comparison with other information systems (17%), sample or population calculus (9%), estimation of prevalence and characterization of the epidemiological profile of a population (26%) or, more generally, to carry out the assessment of health status (29%). The Primary Care Information System as the ‘object of study’ group included 18 works, describing the knowledge and practices of professionals in relation to the information system. These researchers pointed out issues in the process of production and information consolidation, mainly due to the lack of training and supervision of community health workers and bureaucratization of their work process. Although some issues in the quality of data provided by the Primary Care Information System were reported by researchers, these findings were not corroborated by two studies that assessed the reliability of information disclosed by this system. Despite changes in the Brazilian health policies, the issue of data quality in health information systems continues to be a challenge preventing data from being used for decision-making and knowledge production.

scholarly journals Protocol for process evaluation of integration of mental health into primary healthcare in two states in Nigeria: the mhSUN programme

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Eaton ◽  
Yusuf Akande ◽  
Uchechi Onukogu ◽  
Emeka Nwefoh ◽  
Taiwo Lateef Sheikh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Moderating Factors ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background Current international recommendations to address the large treatment gap for mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries are to scale up integration of mental health into primary care. There are good outcome studies to support this, but less robust evidence for effectively carrying out integration and scale-up of such services, or for understanding how to address contextual issues that routinely arise. Aims This protocol is for a process evaluation of a programme called Mental Health Scale Up Nigeria. The study aims are to determine the extent to which the intervention was carried out according to the plans developed (fidelity), to examine the effect of postulated moderating factors and local context, and the perception of the programme by primary care staff and implementers. Method We use a theoretical framework for process evaluation based on the Medical Research Council's Guidelines on Process Evaluation. A Theory of Change workshop was carried out in programme development, to highlight relevant factors influencing the process, ensure good adaptation of global normative guidelines and gain buy-in from local stakeholders. We will use mixed methods to examine programme implementation and outcomes, and influence of moderating factors. Results Data sources will include the routine health information system, facility records (for staff, medication and infrastructure), log books of intervention activities, supervision records, patient questionnaires and qualitative interviews. Conclusions Evidence from this process evaluation will help guide implementers aiming to scale up mental health services in primary care in low- and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals Scaling up mental healthcare in the Republic of Niger: priorities for and barriers to service improvement

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (S1) ◽  
pp. S-6-S-9
Author(s):  
Alison Hwong ◽  
Djibo Maiga Douma ◽  
Soumana Zamo ◽  
Julian Eaton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
National Level ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
Local Health

As part of a pilot programme to scale up community mental health services, local health centre directors, community health workers and key informants were interviewed in two neighbouring political districts of Niger. Major priorities for improving services included training staff on the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, collaborating with traditional healers, educating the community about the origins of psychiatric illness and building infrastructure for medication delivery. Barriers to care included long distances for travel to the nearest hospital and lack of funding for home-based visits by health workers. This study was the first step in Niger's plan to implement the World Health Organization's Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) at a national level.

scholarly journals Process evaluation of a district mental healthcare plan in Nepal: a mixed-methods case study

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nagendra P. Luitel ◽  
Erica Breuer ◽  
Anup Adhikari ◽  
Brandon A. Kohrt ◽  
Crick Lund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Plan ◽  
Facilitating Factors ◽  
Psychotropic Medicines

Background The PRogramme for Improving Mental Health carE (PRIME) evaluated the process and outcomes of the implementation of a mental healthcare plan (MHCP) in Chitwan, Nepal. Aims To describe the process of implementation, the barriers and facilitating factors, and to evaluate the process indicators of the MHCP. Method A case study design that combined qualitative and quantitative methods based on a programme theory of change (ToC) was used and included: (a) district-, community- and health-facility profiles; (b) monthly implementation logs; (c) pre- and post-training evaluation; (d) out-patient clinical data and (e) qualitative interviews with patients and caregivers. Results The MHCP was able to achieve most of the indicators outlined by the ToC. Of the total 32 indicators, 21 (66%) were fully achieved, 10 (31%) partially achieved and 1 (3%) were not achieved at all. The proportion of primary care patients that received mental health services increased by 1200% over the 3-year implementation period. Major barriers included frequent transfer of trained health workers, lack of confidential space for consultation, no mental health supervision in the existing system, and stigma. Involvement of Ministry of Health, procurement of new psychotropic medicines through PRIME, motivation of health workers and the development of a new supervision system were key facilitating factors. Conclusions Effective implementation of mental health services in primary care settings require interventions to increase demand for services and to ensure there is clinical supervision for health workers, private rooms for consultations, a separate cadre of psychosocial workers and a regular supply of psychotropic medicines.

scholarly journals Clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of individual mental health workers colocated within primary care practices: a systematic literature review

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e042052
Author(s):  
Jean-Baptiste Woods ◽  
Geva Greenfield ◽  
Azeem Majeed ◽  
Benedict Hayhoe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Health Worker ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Mental Health Worker ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
Primary Care Practices

ObjectivesMental health disorders contribute significantly to the global burden of disease and lead to extensive strain on health systems. The integration of mental health workers into primary care has been proposed as one possible solution, but evidence of clinical and cost effectiveness of this approach is unclear. We reviewed the clinical and cost effectiveness of mental health workers colocated within primary care practices.DesignSystematic literature review.Data sourcesWe searched the Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Healthcare Management Information Consortium (HMIC) and Global Health databases.Eligibility criteriaAll quantitative studies published before July 2019 were eligible for the review; participants of any age and gender were included. Studies did not need to report a certain outcome measure or comparator in order to be eligible.Data extraction and synthesisData were extracted using a standardised table; however, pooled analysis proved unfeasible. Studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool and the Cochrane collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials.ResultsFifteen studies from four countries were included. Mental health worker integration was associated with mental health benefits to varied populations, including minority groups and those with comorbid chronic diseases. Furthermore, the interventions were correlated with high patient satisfaction and increases in specialist mental health referrals among minority populations. However, there was insufficient evidence to suggest clinical outcomes were significantly different from usual general practitioner care.ConclusionsWhile there appear to be some benefits associated with mental health worker integration in primary care practices, we found insufficient evidence to conclude that an onsite primary care mental health worker is significantly more clinically or cost effective when compared with usual general practitioner care. There should therefore be an increased emphasis on generating new evidence from clinical trials to better understand the benefits and effectiveness of mental health workers colocated within primary care practices.

scholarly journals Pathways to Mental Health–Related Treatment Among Caregiving Spouses

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 358-358
Author(s):  
Hyojin Choi ◽  
Kristin Litzelman ◽  
Molly Maher ◽  
Autumn Harnish
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Provider Type ◽  
Hospital Emergency Room ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Spouses of cancer survivors are 33% less likely to receive guideline-concordant depression treatment than other married adults. However, depression is only one of many manifestations of psychological distress for caregivers. This exploratory study sought to assess the paths by which caregivers access mental health-related treatment. Using nationally representative data from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey, we assessed the proportion of caregivers who received a mental health-related prescription or psychotherapy visit across care settings (office based versus outpatient hospital, emergency room, or inpatient visit), provider type (psychiatric, primary care, other specialty, or other), and visit purpose (regular checkup, diagnosis and treatment, follow-up, psychotherapy, other). In addition, we assessed the health condition(s) associated with the treatment. The findings indicate that a plurality of caregivers accessed mental health-related treatment through an office-based visit (90%) with a primary care provider (47%). A minority accessed this care through a psychologist or psychiatrist (11%) or a physician with another specialty (12%) or other provider types. Nearly a third accessed treatment as part of a regular check-up (32%). These patterns did not differ from the general population after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Interestingly, mental health-related treatments were associated with a mental health diagnosis in only a minority of caregivers. The findings confirm the importance of regular primary care as a door way to mental healthcare, and highlight the range of potential paths to care. Future research will examine the correlates of accessing care across path types.

scholarly journals Creating a ‘reverse’ integrated primary and mental healthcare clinic for those with serious mental illness

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (05) ◽  
pp. 421-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandros Maragakis ◽  
Ragavan Siddharthan ◽  
Jill RachBeisel ◽  
Cassandra Snipes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Primary Care Practitioners

Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) are more likely to experience preventable medical health issues, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, than the general population. To further compound this issue, these individuals are less likely to seek preventative medical care. These factors result in higher usage of expensive emergency care, lower quality of care, and lower life expectancy. This manuscript presents literature that examines the health disparities this population experiences, and barriers to accessing primary care. Through the identification of these barriers, we recommend that the field of family medicine work in collaboration with the field of mental health to implement ‘reverse’ integrated care (RIC) systems, and provide primary care services in the mental health settings. By embedding primary care practitioners in mental health settings, where individuals with SMI are more likely to present for treatment, this population may receive treatment for somatic care by experts. This not only would improve the quality of care received by patients, but would also remove the burden of managing complex somatic care from providers trained in mental health. The rationale for this RIC system, as well as training and policy reforms, are discussed.

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