Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 23
Filter
1.
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed) ; 53(1): 32-40, 2024.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38653659

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Severe mental disorders can cause significant and lasting distress for patients and their families and generate high costs through the need for care and loss of productivity. This study tests DIALOG+, an app-based intervention to make routine patient-clinician meetings therapeutically effective. It combines a structured evaluation of patient satisfaction with a solution-focused approach. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study, based on a controlled clinical trial, in which 9 psychiatrists and 18 patients used DIALOG+ monthly over a six-month period. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the experiences of participants and analysed in an inductive thematic analysis focusing on the feasibility and effects of the intervention in the Colombian context. RESULTS: Experiences were grouped into five overall themes: a) impact of the intervention on the consultation and the doctor-patient relationship; b) impact on patients and in promoting change; c) use of the supporting app, and d) adaptability of the intervention to the Colombian healthcare system. CONCLUSIONS: DIALOG+ was positively valued by most of the participants. Participants felt that it was beneficial to the routine consultation, improved communication and empowered patients to take a leading role in their care. More work is required to identify the patient groups that most benefit from DIALOG+, and to adjust it, particularly to fit brief consultation times, so that it can be rolled out successfully in the Colombian healthcare system.


Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care , Mental Disorders , Patient Satisfaction , Physician-Patient Relations , Humans , Colombia , Mental Disorders/therapy , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Ambulatory Care/organization & administration , Ambulatory Care/methods , Mobile Applications , Interviews as Topic , Qualitative Research , Communication , Severity of Illness Index , Young Adult
2.
Nature ; 627(8002): 137-148, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38383777

ABSTRACT

Urban life shapes the mental health of city dwellers, and although cities provide access to health, education and economic gain, urban environments are often detrimental to mental health1,2. Increasing urbanization over the next three decades will be accompanied by a growing population of children and adolescents living in cities3. Shaping the aspects of urban life that influence youth mental health could have an enormous impact on adolescent well-being and adult trajectories4. We invited a multidisciplinary, global group of researchers, practitioners, advocates and young people to complete sequential surveys to identify and prioritize the characteristics of a mental health-friendly city for young people. Here we show a set of ranked characteristic statements, grouped by personal, interpersonal, community, organizational, policy and environmental domains of intervention. Life skills for personal development, valuing and accepting young people's ideas and choices, providing safe public space for social connection, employment and job security, centring youth input in urban planning and design, and addressing adverse social determinants were priorities by domain. We report the adversities that COVID-19 generated and link relevant actions to these data. Our findings highlight the need for intersectoral, multilevel intervention and for inclusive, equitable, participatory design of cities that support youth mental health.


Subject(s)
Cities , City Planning , Mental Health , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adolescent , Child , Humans , Young Adult , Cities/statistics & numerical data , Mental Health/statistics & numerical data , Mental Health/trends , Population Dynamics/statistics & numerical data , Population Dynamics/trends , Urbanization/trends , Built Environment/statistics & numerical data , Built Environment/trends , City Planning/methods , Employment , Social Behavior
3.
Psychiatr Serv ; 75(1): 98-101, 2024 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37461818

ABSTRACT

A local insurgency has displaced many people in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado. The authors' global team (comprising members from Brazil, Mozambique, South Africa, and the United States) has been scaling up mental health services across the neighboring province of Nampula, Mozambique, now host to >200,000 displaced people. The authors describe how mental health services can be expanded by leveraging digital technology and task-shifting (i.e., having nonspecialists deliver mental health care) to address the mental health needs of displaced people. These methods can serve as a model for other researchers and clinicians aiming to address mental health needs arising from humanitarian disasters in low-resource settings.


Subject(s)
Disasters , Mental Health Services , Humans , Mental Health , Mozambique , South Africa
4.
Lancet Glob Health ; 11(6): e969-e975, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37116530

ABSTRACT

We describe an effort to develop a consensus-based research agenda for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions in humanitarian settings for 2021-30. By engaging a broad group of stakeholders, we generated research questions through a qualitative study (in Indonesia, Lebanon, and Uganda; n=101), consultations led by humanitarian agencies (n=259), and an expert panel (n=227; 51% female participants and 49% male participants; 84% of participants based in low-income and middle-income countries). The expert panel selected and rated a final list of 20 research questions. After rating, the MHPSS research agenda favoured applied research questions (eg, regarding workforce strengthening and monitoring and evaluation practices). Compared with research priorities for the previous decade, there is a shift towards systems-oriented implementation research (eg, multisectoral integration and ensuring sustainability) rather than efficacy research. Answering these research questions selected and rated by the expert panel will require improved partnerships between researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and communities affected by humanitarian crises, and improved equity in funding for MHPSS research in low-income and middle-income countries.


Subject(s)
Mental Health , Psychosocial Support Systems , Humans , Male , Female , Qualitative Research , Poverty , Developing Countries
5.
Psychiatr Serv ; 74(9): 950-962, 2023 09 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36852551

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the effectiveness of integration of depression and alcohol use disorder care into primary health care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited. The authors aimed to quantify the effectiveness of integrating mental health care into primary care by examining depression and alcohol use disorder outcomes. The study updates a previous systematic review summarizing research on care integration in LMICs. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, the authors included studies from the previous review and studies published from 2017 to 2020 that included adults with alcohol use disorder or depression. Studies were evaluated for type of integration model with the typology developed previously. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model to assess effectiveness of integrated interventions was conducted. Meta-regression analyses to examine the impact of study characteristics on depression and alcohol use disorder outcomes were conducted. RESULTS: In total, 49 new articles were identified, and 74 articles from the previous and current studies met inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Overall random effect sizes were 0.28 (95% CI=0.22-0.35) and 0.17 (95% CI=0.11-0.24) for studies targeting care integration for depression or for alcohol use disorder, respectively, into primary care in LMICs. High heterogeneity within and among studies was observed. No significant association was found between country income level and depression and alcohol use outcomes. However, differences in effect sizes between types of integration model were statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Integration of mental health care into primary health care in LMICs was found to improve depression and alcohol use disorder outcomes. This evidence should be considered when designing interventions to improve mental health screening and treatment in LMICs.


Subject(s)
Alcoholism , Depression , Adult , Humans , Depression/epidemiology , Depression/therapy , Developing Countries , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Alcoholism/therapy , Primary Health Care
6.
Front Public Health ; 10: 896318, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36159257

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact both in general and mental healthcare, challenged the health systems worldwide, and affected their capacity to deliver essential health services. We aimed to describe perceived changes in ease of access to general and mental healthcare among patients with a diagnosis of depression and/or unhealthy alcohol use in Colombia. Methods: This study is embedded in the DIADA project, a multicenter implementation research study aimed at evaluating the integration of mental healthcare in primary care in Colombia. Between November 2020 and August 2021, we conducted a COVID-19 pandemic impact assessment in a cohort of participants with newly diagnosed depression and/or unhealthy alcohol use part of DIADA project. We assessed the ease of access and factors related to perceived ease of access to general or mental healthcare, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: 836 participants completed the COVID-19 pandemic impact assessment. About 30% of participants considered their mental health to be worse during the pandemic and 84.3% perceived access to general healthcare to be worse during the pandemic. Most of participants (85.8%) were unable to assess access to mental health services, but a significant proportion considered it to be worse. Experiencing worse ease of access to general healthcare was more frequent among women, patients with diagnosis of depression, and patients with comorbidities. Experiencing worse ease of access to mental healthcare was more frequent among patients aged between 30 and 49.9 years, from socioeconomic status between 4 and 6, affiliated to the contributive social security regime, attending urban study sites, and those who perceived their mental health was worse during the pandemic. Discussion: Despite the overall perception of worse mental health during the pandemic, the use of mental healthcare was low compared to general healthcare. Ease of access was perceived to be worse compared to pre-pandemic. Ease of access and access were affected by geographical study site, socioeconomic status, age and gender. Our findings highlight the need for improved communication between patients and institutions, tailored strategies to adapt the healthcare provision to patients' characteristics, and continued efforts to strengthen the role of mental healthcare provision in primary care.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mental Health Services , Adult , COVID-19/epidemiology , Colombia/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Delivery of Health Care , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Pandemics , Primary Health Care
7.
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed) ; 51(2): 113-122, 2022.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35753982

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of implementing a community-based, multi-family group intervention in a semi-rural population in Aranzazu, northern Caldas, Colombia. METHODS: Qualitative study. A convenience sample was taken of 10 families with children with affective and behavioural disorders, previously identified by the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). The Multifamily Psychoeducational Psychotherapy (MF-PEP) model was adapted to the culture and needs of the families. RESULTS: The contents of the sessions and the topics and experiences that were most significant for the children and their families are described. CONCLUSIONS: The adaptation to the cultural context of the multi-family intervention had a very good acceptability by all participants: caregivers, children and therapists.


Subject(s)
Affective Symptoms , Child Behavior Disorders , Psychotherapy, Multiple , Adult , Affective Symptoms/therapy , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/therapy , Colombia , Family , Female , Humans , Rural Population
8.
Rev. colomb. psiquiatr ; 51(2): 113-122, abr.-jun. 2022. tab
Article in Spanish | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1394981

ABSTRACT

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar la factibilidad de implementar una intervención grupal multifamiliar, basada en la comunidad, en una población semirrural en Aranzazu, en el norte de Caldas, Colombia. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo. Se tomó una muestra de conveniencia de 10 familias con ninos con alteraciones afectivas y conductuales, previamente identificados mediante la Child Beha-vior Checklist (CBCL). Se adaptó a la cultura y a las necesidades de las familias el modelo de Psicoterapia Psicoeducativa Multifamiliar (MF-PEP). Resultados: Se describen los contenidos de las sesiones, los temas y las experiencias que fueron más significativos para los ninos y sus familias. Conclusiones: La adecuación al contexto cultural de la intervención multifamiliar tuvo una muy buena aceptación de los participantes, tanto cuidadores como ninos y terapeutas.


ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the feasibility of implementing a community-based, multi-family Multiple psychotherapy group intervention in a semi-rural population in Aranzazu, northern Caldas, Colombia. Family Affective symptoms Methods: Qualitative study. A convenience sample was taken of 10 families with children Child with affective and behavioural disorders, previously identified by the Child Behaviour Check-Community list (CBCL). The Multifamily Psychoeducational Psychotherapy (MF-PEP) model was adapted to the culture and needs of the families. Results: The contents of the sessions and the topics and experiences that were most significant for the children and their families are described. Conclusions: The adaptation to the cultural context of the multi-family intervention had a very good acceptability by all participants: caregivers, children and therapists.

9.
AIMS Public Health ; 9(4): 630-643, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36636145

ABSTRACT

We sought to explore mental health and psychosocial impact among young people (18 to 24 years old) in Bogotá during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We carried a cross sectional study using a web-based survey to assess mental health and personal impact among 18 to 24 years old living in Bogotá during the first 4 months of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The depressive symptoms were measured with PHQ-8 and anxiety symptoms with (GAD-7). We also designed a questionnaire exploring changes in personal, family and social life. Results: Overall, 23% of the sample (n = 834) reported mild depressive symptoms (males 24% and females 23%); 29% reported moderate depressive symptoms (males 28%, females 30%); 22% moderate-severe symptoms (males 20%, females 23%) and 17% severe symptoms (males 15%, females 17%). Mild anxiety symptoms were reported by 29% of the sample (males 30%, females 29%); moderate anxiety symptoms by 29% (males 26%, females 30%); moderate-severe 18% (males 15%, females 20%) and severe anxiety by 6.0% (males 6.0% and females 6.0%). High symptoms of depression (PHQ-8 ≥ 10) were associated with being female, considering that the quarantine was stressful, having one member of the family losing their job, worsening of family relationships, decrease of physical activity and having a less nutritious diet. Having high anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 ≥ 10) were associated with sometimes not having enough money to buy food. Conclusions: The first months of the pandemic lockdown were associated with high depressive and anxiety symptoms among young persons living in Bogotá, Colombia. Increasing public health measures to provide support for young people is needed during lockdowns and it is necessary to further explore the long-term mental health impact due to personal, family and social changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

11.
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed) ; 50 Suppl 1: 13-21, 2021 Jul.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34334346

ABSTRACT

The DIADA project, understood as a mental healthcare implementation experience in the context of a middle-income country like Colombia, promotes a necessary discussion about its role in the global mental health framework. The following article outlines the main points by which this relationship occurs, understanding how the project contributes to global mental health and, at the same time, how global mental health nurtures the development of this project. It reflects on aspects like the systematic screening of patients with mental illness, the use of technology in health, the adoption of a collaborative model, the investigation on implementation, a collaborative learning and the Colombian healthcare system. These are all key aspects when interpreting the feedback cycle between the individual and the global. The analysis of these components shows how collaborative learning is a central axis in the growth of global mental health: from the incorporation of methodologies, implementation of models, assessment of outcomes and, finally, the dissemination of results to local, regional and international stakeholders.


Subject(s)
Mental Disorders , Mental Health , Colombia , Global Health , Humans , Mental Disorders/therapy
12.
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed) ; 50 Suppl 1: 91-101, 2021 Jul.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34257054

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stigma is a sociocultural barrier to accessing mental health services and prevents individuals with mental health disorders from receiving mental health care. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia acknowledges that a great number of people with mental disorders do not seek medical aid due to stigma. OBJECTIVES: Characterise the perceived stigma towards mental health among the stakeholders involved in the early implementation of the DIADA project [Detección y Atención Integral de Depresión y Abuso de Alcohol en Atención Primaria (Detection and Integrated Care for Depression and Alcohol Use in Primary Care)]. Explore whether the implementation of this model can decrease stigma. Describe the impact of the implementation on the lives of patients and medical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen stakeholders (7 patients, 5 physicians and 6 administrative staff) were interviewed and a secondary data analysis of 24 interview transcripts was conducted using a rapid analysis technique. RESULTS: The main effects of stigma towards mental health disorders included refusing medical attention, ignoring illness, shame and labelling. Half of the stakeholders reported that the implementation of mental health care in primary care could decrease stigma. All of the stakeholders said that the implementation had a positive impact. CONCLUSIONS: The perceived stigma was characterised as social and aesthetic in nature. Communication and awareness about mental health is improving, which could facilitate access to mental health treatment and strengthen the doctor-patient relationship. Culture is important for understanding stigma towards mental health in the population studied.


Subject(s)
Mental Health , Physician-Patient Relations , Colombia , Humans , Primary Health Care , Social Stigma
13.
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed) ; 50 Suppl 1: 22-29, 2021 Jul.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34253502

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Colombia passed Law 100 in 1993 with the goal of providing universal health care coverage, and by 2013, over 96% of the Colombian population had health insurance coverage. However, little is known about how health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and health literacy are related among those with the two most common types of health insurance coverage: subsidized (those with lower incomes) and contributory (those with higher incomes) coverage. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: In the current exploratory investigation, data from adults visiting six primary care clinics in Colombia were analysed to examine the relationship between HRQoL (assessed as problems with mobility, self-care, completing usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression), demographics, the two health insurance types, and health literacy. Analyses also assessed whether, within insurance types, health literacy was related to HRQoL. RESULTS: Results showed that those with contributory health insurance coverage had greater health literacy than those with subsidized coverage, and this was accounted for by differences in education and socioeconomic status. HRQoL did not differ by insurance type. Although lower health literacy was related to worse HRQoL in the overall sample, in subgroup analyses lower health literacy significantly related to worse HRQoL only among those with subsidized health insurance coverage. CONCLUSION: Targeting skills which contribute to health literacy, such as interpreting medical information or filling out forms, may improve HRQoL, particularly in those with subsidized insurance coverage.


Subject(s)
Health Literacy , Quality of Life , Adult , Colombia , Humans , Insurance, Health , Primary Health Care
14.
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed) ; 50 Suppl 1: 4-12, 2021 Jul.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34244120

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: People with mental health conditions frequently attend primary care centers, but these conditions are underdiagnosed and undertreated. The objective of this paper is to describe the model and the findings of the implementation of a technology-based model of care for depression and unhealthy alcohol use in primary care centers in Colombia. METHODS: Between February 2018 and March 2020, we implemented a technology-based model of care for depression and unhealthy alcohol use, following a modified stepped wedge methodology, in six urban and rural primary care centers in Colombia. The model included a series of steps aimed at screening patients attending medical appointments with general practitioners and supporting the diagnosis and treatment given by the general practitioner. We describe the model, its implementation and the characteristics of the screened and assessed patients. RESULTS: During the implementation period, we conducted 22,354 screenings among 16,188 patients. The observed rate of general practitioner (GP)-confirmed depression diagnosis was 10.1% and of GP-confirmed diagnosis of unhealthy alcohol use was 1.3%. Patients with a depression diagnosis were primarily middle-aged women, while patients with unhealthy alcohol use were mainly young adult men. DISCUSSION: The provision of training and technology-based strategies to screen patients and support the decision-making of GPs during the medical appointment enhanced the diagnosis and care provision of patients with depression and unhealthy alcohol use. However, time constraints, as well as structural and cultural barriers, were challenges for the implementation of the model, and the model should take into account local values, policies and resources to guarantee its long-term sustainability. As such, the long-term sustainability of the model will depend on the alignment of different stakeholders, including decision-makers, institutions, insurers, GPs, patients and communities, to reduce the amount of patients seeking medical care whose mental health conditions remain undetected, and therefore untreated, and to ensure an appropriate response to the demand for mental healthcare that was revealed by the implementation of our model.


Subject(s)
Depression , Primary Health Care , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Colombia/epidemiology , Depression/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Technology , Young Adult
15.
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed) ; 50 Suppl 1: 83-90, 2021 Jul.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34274261

ABSTRACT

This article explores the structure of the network of actors involved in the care of individuals with unhealthy alcohol use (UAU) at the primary care level in five primary care centers in Colombia between 2017 and 2018. We use the Actor-Network Theory Framework (ANT) which posits that health outcomes are a product of a multitude of relationships between different stakeholders. The article focuses on the network configuration that develops between the actors and its effects on the processes of identification, care, and follow-up of people with UAU. The data come from five care centers that participated in the pilot phase of an implementation research project that seeks to apply evidence-based interventions for the detection and treatment of depression and unhealthy alcohol use. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups (FG) were conducted with patients, health and administrative staff, and users from Alcoholics Anonymous. The interviews were transcribed and coded using N-Vivo. The analysis identified the ways in which actors are linked by the community to UAU. The results of this qualitative approach based on ANT present the actors identified in a non-linear network with different dimensions.


Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking , Primary Health Care , Colombia , Focus Groups , Follow-Up Studies , Humans
16.
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed) ; 50 Suppl 1: 102-109, 2021 Jul.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34301528

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Analyse the relationship between the sociodemographic profile of the DIADA study participants and the rate of compliance with the follow-up assessments in the early stage of this project's intervention for depression and unhealthy alcohol use offered within primary care. METHODS: A non-experimental quantitative analysis was conducted. The sociodemographic data of DIADA [Detección y Atención Integral de Depresión y Abuso de Alcohol en Atención Primaria (Detection and Integrated Care for Depression and Alcohol Use in Primary Care)] study participants had been previously collected. At the time of the evaluation (September 12, 2019), only the participants who had been in the project for a minimum of 3 months were included. By using univariate (Chi-squared) analyses, we studied the association between participants' sociodemographic profile and their rate of compliance with the first follow-up assessment at 3 months after study initiation. RESULTS: At the date of the evaluation, 584 adult participants were identified, of which 389 had been involved in the project for more than 3 months. From the participants included, 320 performed the first follow-up, while 69 did not. The compliance rate to the first follow-up was 82.3% (95 % [CI] 78.1%-86%) and was not affected by: site location, age, sex, civil status, level of education, use of smartphone, PHQ9 score (measuring depression symptomatology) or AUDIT score (measuring harmful alcohol use). Participants who do not use a smartphone, from rural areas and with a lower socioeconomic status, tended to show higher compliance rates. Statistically significant associations were found; participants with lower job stability and a lack of access to the Internet showed higher compliance rates to the early initial follow-up assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The compliance rate was high and generally constant in spite of the variability of the sociodemographic profiles of the participants, although several sub-groups of participants showed particularly high rates of compliance. These findings may suggest that integrating mental health into primary care allows the structural and financial barriers that hinder access to health in Colombia to be broken down by raising awareness about mental illnesses, their high prevalence and the importance of timely and accessible medical management.


Subject(s)
Mental Disorders , Primary Health Care , Colombia , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Prevalence
17.
BMC Psychiatry ; 21(1): 239, 2021 05 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33957896

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Improving care for patients with severe mental illness in Latin America requires effective strategies that are low-cost. One such strategy is a volunteering scheme, referred to as befriending, which seeks to support the social integration of patients. Despite positive reports in other world regions, this intervention has not been studied in Latin America. Whilst befriending programmes commonly form patient-volunteer dyads, group arrangements may be an alternative with some benefits. Here, we aim to explore the feasibility, experiences and outcomes of a group volunteer befriending intervention for patients with severe mental illness in Colombia. METHODS: In this exploratory non-controlled study, 10 groups of five individuals were formed, each consisting of three individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and two volunteers from the community in Bogotá, Colombia. Each group was encouraged to participate together in social activities within their community over a 6-month period. Patients' quality of life, objective social outcomes, symptom levels and internalised stigma were assessed before and after the intervention. Patients' and volunteers' experiences were explored in semi-structured interviews which were analysed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Outcomes were available for 23 patients. Whilst their objective social situation had significantly improved at the end of the intervention, other outcomes did not show statistically significant differences. The interviews with participants revealed positive experiences which fell into five categories: 1) stigma reduction; 2) personal growth; 3) formation of relationships; 4) continuity and sustainability of befriending; 5) acceptability and feasibility of befriending. CONCLUSIONS: A volunteer befriending programme in small groups of two volunteers and three patients is feasible and associated with positive experiences of participants. Such programmes may also improve the objective social situation of patients. This low-cost intervention may be useful for patients with severe mental illnesses in Latin America. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN72241383 (Date of Registration: 04/03/2019, retrospectively registered).


Subject(s)
Quality of Life , Schizophrenia , Colombia , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , Volunteers
18.
Asian J Psychiatr ; 57: 102557, 2021 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33561780

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study explored perspectives of researchers working with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Scale-Up Hubs, consisting of research partnerships for scaling up mental health interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), to: 1) identify common barriers to conducting impactful research on the implementation of evidence-based mental health services; and 2) provide recommendations to overcome these implementation challenges. METHODS: A sequential qualitative approach was employed. First, an open-ended survey was distributed to the 10 Scale-Up Hubs and NIMH program staff asking informants to identify challenges in conducting mental health implementation research in LMICs. Second, survey findings guided an in-person workshop to generate implementation recommendations to inform the field. RESULTS: In total, 46 respondents completed surveys, and 101 researchers attended the workshop. The workshop produced implementation recommendations for low-resource settings: 1) identifying impact of research on policy and practice; 2) sustaining careers of early researchers in global mental health; 3) engaging policymakers and donors to value mental health research; 4) supporting the workforce for delivering evidence-based treatments for mental disorders; and 5) promoting sustainability of programs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings can strengthen collaboration between researchers and key stakeholders, and highlight important targets for improving mental health implementation research in LMICs.


Subject(s)
Mental Disorders , Mental Health Services , Global Health , Humans , Mental Disorders/therapy , Mental Health , National Institute of Mental Health (U.S.) , United States
19.
BJPsych Bull ; 45(1): 40-52, 2021 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32321610

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND METHOD: This systematic review examines the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of behavioural health integration into primary healthcare in the management of depression and unhealthy alcohol use in low- and middle-income countries. Following PRISMA guidelines, this review included research that studied patients aged ≥18 years with unhealthy alcohol use and/or depression of any clinical severity. An exploration of the models of integration was used to characterise a typology of behavioural health integration specific for low- and middle-income countries. RESULTS: Fifty-eight articles met inclusion criteria. Studies evidenced increased effectiveness of integrated care over treatment as usual for both conditions. The economic evaluations found increased direct health costs but cost-effective estimates. The included studies used six distinct behavioural health integration models. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Behavioural health integration may yield improved health outcomes, although it may require additional resources. The proposed typology can assist decision-makers to advance the implementation of integrated models.

20.
Psychiatr Serv ; 71(7): 678-683, 2020 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32151216

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Depression and alcohol use disorder are among the most common causes of disability and death worldwide. Health care systems are seeking ways to leverage technology to screen, evaluate, and treat these conditions, because workforce interventions alone, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are insufficient. This article reports data from the first year of implementation of a technology-supported, systematic approach to identify and care for persons with these disorders in primary care in Colombia. METHODS: A care process that includes waiting room kiosks to screen primary care patients, decision support tablets to guide doctors in diagnosis and treatment, and access to digital therapeutics as a treatment option was implemented in two primary care clinics, one urban and one in a small town. The project collected data on the number of people screened, diagnosed, and engaged in the research and their demographic characteristics. RESULTS: In the first year, 2,656 individuals were screened for depression and unhealthy alcohol use in the two clinics. Primary care doctors increased the percentage of patients diagnosed as having depression and alcohol use disorder from next to 0% to 17% and 2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Early experience with implementing technology-supported screening and decision support for depression and alcohol use disorder into the workflow of busy primary care clinics in Colombia indicates that this care model is feasible and leads to dramatically higher rates of diagnoses of these conditions. Diagnosis in these settings appeared to be easier for depression than for alcohol use disorder.


Subject(s)
Alcoholism/diagnosis , Decision Support Techniques , Depression/diagnosis , Primary Health Care/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Alcoholism/epidemiology , Colombia/epidemiology , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration , Depression/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Telemedicine/methods , Young Adult
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...