The professionals’ perspective on the patient discharge process of the Caps-AD: criteria and difficulties

ABSTRACT

The aim was to understand how the discharge process of patients at the Psychosocial Care Centers for Alcohol and Drugs (Caps-AD) occurs, from the professionals’ perspective. The discharge criteria used by the institutions (Caps-AD), by the professionals and the difficulties encountered during the discharge process were investigated. The methodology was qualitative, through in-depth interviews carried out with sixteen professionals working in five Caps-AD at São Paulo. The recruitment was by snowball technique, and the material was transcribed and subjected to content analysis. It was observed that there is no standardization and clarity of the discharge criteria at the Caps-AD. The professionals considered as discharge criteria: change in the pattern of use of the substance, social reintegration, improvement in psychological functioning and coping skills of the individual and achievement of established goals. Most of the difficulties encountered were the differences in the team, professionals’ omnipotence, difficulties related to the rupture of the bonds, institutional dependence, patient instability and difficulties in health network articulation. The results express the complexity and amplitude of the discharge issue in Caps-AD, since the process is characterized by the articulation of social, economic, political, subjective and institutional dimensions.

KEYWORDS
Patient discharge; Substance-related disorders; Mental health