Challenges affecting the implementation of the Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into primary healthcare in KwaZulu-Natal province.

Background: Since the publication of the White Paper for the Transformation of the Health System in South Africa in 1997, which included Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into primary health care (PHC), there has been an emphasis on the promotion of health as well as the re-engineering of...

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Publicado en:Curationis Vol. 42; no. 1; pp. 1 - 10
Autores principales: Hlongwa, Esther N., Sibiya, Maureen N.
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: African Online Scientific Information System PTY LTD 2019
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        10.4102/curationis.v42i1.1847
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        atl: Challenges affecting the implementation of the Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into primary healthcare in KwaZulu-Natal province.
      aug:
        au:
          Hlongwa, Esther N.
          Sibiya, Maureen N.
        affil: KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
      sug:
        subj:
          Health Policy Administration
          Mental Health Services
          Primary Health Care
          Program Implementation
          Health Care Delivery, Integrated Administration
          Human
          South Africa
          Qualitative Studies
          Exploratory Research
          Administrative Personnel
          Interpersonal Relations
          Nursing Skills
          Nurse Attitudes
          Funding Source
          Interviews
          Focus Groups
          Communication
      ab: Background: Since the publication of the White Paper for the Transformation of the Health System in South Africa in 1997, which included Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into primary health care (PHC), there has been an emphasis on the promotion of health as well as the re-engineering of PHC to include the integration of mental health care into PHC. Although South Africa has made significant advances at the level of health-related policy development and legislation in trying to bring the country in line with international trends, there have been challenges with regard to implementation of policies, including that of integration of mental health care into PHC. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the challenges affecting the implementation of the Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into PHC in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa and to seek possible solutions. Method: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used to determine the challenges affecting the implementation of the Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into PHC in KZN. The sample consisted of 42 participants of whom 4 were PHC managers, 6 were operational managers and 22 were professional nurses who were directly involved in implementing the policy at the operational level. Results: The challenges identified included lack of training in mental healthcare services for staff working in PHC, unavailability of mental health policies, inadequate resources, poor communication between management and staff, lack of skills among PHC nurses in identifying signs of mental illness and misdiagnosis of patients. Conclusion: Considering the challenges pertaining to PHC nurses' abilities and skills to implement the Policy on Integration of Mental Health Care into PHC, PHC-trained nurses should engage in lifelong learning and be encouraged to develop their knowledge, skills and competence throughout their professional lives.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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