Healthcare professionals’ perception of mental health in primary care

Garcia, Georgia Dalla Valle; Zanoti-Jeronymo, Daniela Viganó; Zambenedetti, Gustavo; Cervo, Michele da Rocha; Cavalcante, Marília Daniella Machado Araújo

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2018-02011

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To characterize the mental health care provided in Primary Care from the perception of health professionals in the cities to the 5th Regional Health Center of the state of Paraná.

Method:

An exploratory qualitative research. Participants were 121 health professionals working in primary care in the 20 cities of 5th Regional Health Center of the state of Parana. Twenty-two focus groups were recorded, transcribed and analyzed by content analysis.

Results:

Five thematic categories emerged, of which two were analyzed in this study: actions that professionals consider to be mental health actions; mental health actions developed by Primary Care professionals.

Final Considerations:

Despite of the indications of inclusion of mental health actions in Primary Care, this relationship is still occasional and unplanned. Policies that foster this interaction from a psychosocial perspective are needed.

Descriptors:
Primary Health Care; Mental Health Services; Health Personnel; Mental Health; Delivery of Health Care

[1] Corresponding Author: Daniela Viganó Zanoti-Jeronymo E-mail: danielazanoti@uol.com.br

Characteristics		n	%
Gender	Male	16	13.2
Gender	Female	105	86.8
Age	21- 30 Years	24	22.4
	31- 40 Years	50	46.7
	41- 50 Years	20	18.7
	51-60 Years	11	10.3
	> 61 Years	2	1.9
Profession	Nurse	44	38.9
	Psychologist	2	1.8
	Physician	3	2.65
	Nursing Technician	13	11.5
	Nursing Assistant	10	8.85
	CHA	33	29.2
	Pharmacist	1	0.9
	Others	7	6.2
Years after graduation	3- 6 Years	23	31.9
	7- 16 Years	39	54.2
	17- 26 Years	9	12.5
	27- 37 Years	1	1.4
Has a graduate degree	YES	43	59.7
	Public Health	11	25.6
	Mental Health	1	2.3
	Family Health	4	9.3
	Others	27	62.8
	NO	29	40.3
Time working in Primary Health Care	1- 5 Years	44	41.5
	6- 10 Years	22	20.8
	11- 15 Years	17	16.1
	16- 20 Years	12	11.3
	21- 25 Years	8	7.5
	30- 42 Years	3	2.8

Brasil