Complementary therapies as resources for mental health in Primary Health Care

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To verify the knowledge of Primary Care professionals about Integrative and Complementary Practices (PIC – “Práticas Integrativas e Complementares”) and if they perceive these Practices as a care resource in Mental Health.

METHOD

Quantitative study carried out with 70 professionals from a Basic Unit of Health in the city of São Paulo between May and June of 2016. The data were collected through a questionnaire elaborated by the researchers. For statistical analysis, the frequency distribution of the variables and the Fisher test were considered.

RESULTS

The professionals said that they were aware of some PIC (73.9%), that users of the service with Mental Health issues would benefit from them (94.2%), that they would like to receive training (91.3%), and that they consider the practices a possible resource for care in Mental Health (92.8%).

CONCLUSION

The professionals’ knowledge needs to be deepened. Still, they consider PIC as a resource for Mental Health in Primary Care.

Keywords:
Complementary therapies; Primary health care; Mental health.