- Title
- Perceptions of professional nurses regarding factors that influence the integration of psychiatric services into primary health care in Buffalo City clinics in the Eastern Cape province
- Creator
- Mhlahlo, Nontobeko Beatrice
- Subject
- Psychiatric nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Subject
- Mental health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Subject
- Psychiatric hospital care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Date
- 2014-01
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29354
- Identifier
- vital:77955
- Description
- The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of the professional nurses regarding the factors that influence integration of psychiatric services into Primary Health Care (PHC) in Buffalo City clinics In the Eastern Cape. A qualitative research design was seen as the most suitable in this study. This method was chosen because the researcher was committed to explore the perceptions of the participants in the study. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants for the study, who were selected on the basis of their knowledge of the phenomenon. The participants were professional nurses who were involved in providing mental health care services at the primary health care settings. A pilot study was conducted in a primary health care setting involving participants with similar characteristics to the study population. Data were collected by means of individual interviews during which participants were able to relate their perceptions with regard to factors influencing integration of psychiatric services into primary health care. One broad, open-ended question was used to gather information from the participants. Data were collected until saturation point was reached. Transcriptions were made within three days of the interview. Data were analyzed manually. The researcher used the process of bracketing during data analysis and remained neutral, setting aside previous knowledge and beliefs about the phenomenon understudy. The researcher repeatedly listened to audio tapes used for data collection until completely satisfied with the interpretation of verbatim data. The research study was conducted in an ethically reflective manner, and trustworthiness was ensured at all times. The researcher allowed the participants freedom to conduct their lives as autonomous agents, without control, coercion or exploitation. The following findings were evident: In spite of a policy dictating the integration of services, it is apparently not done. The findings revealed that participants experienced barriers with regard to implementation of integrated mental health services due to lack of supervision, unavailability of protocols and policies, as well as inadequate trained staff to provide mental health services in PHC. There is either complete absence of or only fragmented mental health services at some clinics. The participants understood that integration of mental health services into primary health care would contribute to the reduction of stigma and the promotion of human rights for psychiatric patients. Shortage of resources, both human and material, imposed a great challenge with regard to provision of quality mental health services. The participants strongly recommended that basic training should be provided to improve their knowledge and skills to enable them to integrate psychiatric services into primary health care . The results also revealed that at specific times, primary health nurses provide psychiatric services for patients who have already been seen in a hospital and in some clinics such services do not exist. In clinics where the nurses are not psychiatric trained, there is no case finding, rehabilitation or prevention strategies taking place. Incorporation of comprehensive mental health services into primary health care is far from ideal, as professional nurses focus on issuing medication as a method of providing mental health services.
- Description
- Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of of Health Sciences, 2014
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (x, 101 leaves)
- Format
- Publisher
- University of Fort Hare
- Publisher
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- rights holder
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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- Downloads: 2
Collections
UFH Department of Nursing Science
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | M Cur (Nursing Science) 2014 MHLAHLO, NB.pdf | 1 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |