A practice framework to enhance the implementation of the Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into primary health care in KwaZulu-Natal province

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine

 
 
Field Value
 
Title A practice framework to enhance the implementation of the Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into primary health care in KwaZulu-Natal province
 
Creator Hlongwa, Esther N. Sibiya, Maureen N.
 
Subject mental health care Primary health care; mental health care; health-related policies; integration of care; comprehensive care
Description Background: Mental health care at primary health care (PHC) still remains a challenge despite the Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into PHC which was developed in 1997 at the time when the White Paper for the Transformation of the Health System in South Africa was published. The White Paper made provision for a new health care system based on the principles of the PHC approach to care. This was followed by the promulgation of the Mental Health Care Act No. 17 of 2002 which is based on the principle that mental health care should be integrated into PHC; however, there have been challenges with regard to the implementation of this policy.Aim: This study aimed to analyse the implementation of Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into PHC with the ultimate aim of developing a practice framework for PHC nurses to enhance such implementation in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).Setting: The study took place in selected health districts in KZN, namely, Ugu, eThekwini, iLembe and uMgungundlovu.Methods: A qualitative approach using grounded theory design was used to develop a practice framework to enhance the implementation of Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into PHC. A theoretical sampling method was used to select the sample from PHC managers, operational managers and professional nurses for the collection of data. The sample consisted of 42 participants. Data were collected by means of one-on-one interviews and focus group interviews. Strauss and Corbin’s approach of data analysis was used for analysing data. The paradigm model was used as a guide to develop a practice framework to enhance the implementation of the Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into PHC in KZN.Results: This study found that integration of mental health care into PHC is understood as a provision of comprehensive care to mental health care users using either a supermarket approach or a one-stop-shop approach at PHC clinics. Strategies that are used at PHC clinics in KZN ensure that the integration of mental health care into PHC is implemented, includes the screening of all patients that come to the PHC clinic for mental illness, fast tracking of mental health care users once they have been assessed, and found to be mentally ill and management of all mental health care users as patients with chronic diseases.Conclusion: The practice framework developed identifies comprehensive mental health care being offered to mental health care users using either a supermarket approach or a one-stop-shop approach, depending on the availability of staff with a qualification in psychiatric nursing science.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor None
Date 2019-04-10
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Qualitative research using grounded theory approach
Format text/html application/epub+zip application/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/phcfm.v11i1.1865
 
Source African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine; Vol 11, No 1 (2019); 8 pages 2071-2936 2071-2928
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/1865/3025 https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/1865/3024 https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/1865/3026 https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/1865/3023
 
Coverage South Africa; uGu district; eThekwini district; uMgungundlovu district; iLembe district 2016-2017 professional nurses
Rights Copyright (c) 2019 Esther N. Hlongwa, Maureen N. Sibiya https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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