Inequality on the frontline: A multi-country study on gender differences in mental health among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) were at increased risk for mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, with prior data suggesting women may be particularly vulnerable. Our global mental health study aimed to examine factors associated with gender differences in psychological distress and depressive symptoms among HCWs during COVID-19. Across 22 countries in South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, 32,410 HCWs participated in the COVID-19 HEalth caRe wOrkErS (HEROES) study between March 2020 and February 2021. They completed the General Health Questionnaire-12, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and questions about pandemic-relevant exposures. Consistently across countries, women reported elevated mental health problems compared to men. Women also reported increased COVID-19-relevant stressors, including insufficient personal protective equipment and less support from colleagues, while men reported increased contact with COVID-19 patients. At the country level, HCWs in countries with higher gender inequality reported less mental health problems. Higher COVID-19 mortality rates were associated with increased psychological distress merely among women. Our findings suggest that among HCWs, women may have been disproportionately exposed to COVID-19-relevant stressors at the individual and country level. This highlights the importance of considering gender in emergency response efforts to safeguard women's well-being and ensure healthcare system preparedness during future public health crises.

Repercussões da COVID-19 na saúde mental de trabalhadores nos centros de atenção psicossocial / COVID-19 mental health repercussions in the workforce at community mental health centres / Repercusiones de la COVID-19 en la salud mental de los trabajadores de centros de salud mental

Objetivo: identificar os diferentes perfis de trabalhadores de Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) e investigar suas características sociodemográficas e de saúde mental no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19. Métodos: foram convidados os 127 trabalhadores de seis CAPS da cidade de Pelotas ­ RS, dos quais 82 participaram (taxa de resposta de 67%); os questionários PHQ-9 e GHQ-12 foram aplicados para rastreamento de sintomas depressivos e transtornos mentais comuns, sendo realizada uma análise de clusters. Resultados: os agrupamentos exibiram elevada homogeneidade interna e heterogeneidade externa, permitindo observar associações com as variáveis explicativas e diferenças entre os clusters, que revelam potenciais riscos para depressão e transtornos mentais comuns. Conclusão: os trabalhadores da saúde mental estão expostos a riscos para a saúde mental, sendo necessário compreender o impacto da pandemia da COVID-19 nestes trabalhadores e dar subsídios para atender às suas necessidades. (AU).

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify different profiles of workers of Community Mental Health Centres and their socio demographic and mental health characteristics in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: 127 workers from six Centres in the city of Pelotas, South Brazil, were invited to a survey and 82 applied (67% response rate); PHQ-9 and GHQ-12 questionnaires were used to the screening of depressive symptoms and common mental health problems and a cluster analysis was performed. Results: clusters showed high internal homogeneity and external heterogeneity, with associations between explanatory variables and differences among clusters, which reveal potential risks for depression and common mental disorders. Conclusion: mental health workers are exposed to risks, and it is necessary to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of these workers to support your needs. (AU).

Objetivo: identificar los diferentes perfiles de trabajadores de los Centros de Atención Psicosocial y sus características sociodemográficas y de salud mental en relación con la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: de los 127 trabajadores invitados de los 6 Centros en de Pelotas, Sur de Brasil, 82 contestaron (tasa de respuesta de 67%); los cuestionarios PHQ-9 e GHQ-12 fueron utilizados para rastreo de síntomas depresivos y trastornos mentales comunes y se hizo una análisis de conglomerados. Resultados: los conglomerados exhibieron alta homogeneidad interna y heterogeneidad externa, permitiendo observar asociaciones con variables explicativas y diferencias entre conglomerados, que revelan riesgos de depresión y trastornos mentales comunes. Conclusión: los trabajadores de la salud mental tienen riesgos para la salud mental siendo necesario comprender el impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en estos trabajadores y proporcionar subsidios para el apoyo a sus necesidades. (AU).

COVID-19 Pandemic Factors and Depressive Symptoms Among Primary Care Workers in São Paulo, Brazil, October and November 2020.

Objectives. To investigate associations between COVID-19-related factors and depressive symptoms among primary care workers (PCWs) in São Paulo, Brazil, and to compare the prevalence of probable depression among PCWs before and during the pandemic. Methods. In a random sample of primary care clinics, we examined 6 pandemic-related factors among 828 PCWs. We used multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate prevalence ratios for probable depression. We assessed the prevalence of probable depression in PCWs before and during the pandemic in 2 comparable studies. Results. Adjusted prevalence ratios were substantial for insufficient personal protective equipment; experiences of discrimination, violence, or harassment; and lack of family support. Comparisons between PCWs before and during the pandemic showed that the prevalence of probable depression among physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants was higher during the pandemic and that the prevalence among community health workers was higher before the pandemic. Conclusions. Our findings indicate domains that may be crucial to mitigating depression among PCWs but that, with the exception of personal protective equipment, have not previously been examined in this population. It is crucial that governments and communities address discriminatory behaviors against PCWs, promote their well-being at work, and foster family support. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(5):786-794. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306723).

Dor lombar e transtornos mentais comuns na Estratégia Saúde da Família: uma associação pouco reconhecida / Low back pain and common mental disorders in Family Health Strategy: an association little recognized / Dolor lumbar y trastornos mentales comunes en la Estrategia Salud de la Familia: una asociación poco reconocida

Objetivo: Descrever o perfil sociodemográfico dos pacientes atendidos na Estratégia Saúde da Família de quatro capitais brasileiras (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre e Fortaleza) com dor lombar e investigar a associação entre dor lombar e depressão, ansiedade e somatização. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal com 1857 pacientes atendidos nos anos de 2009 (setembro a novembro) e 2010 (junho a agosto). Instrumentos: rastreio de somatização (SOMS-2), avaliação de ansiedade e depressão (HAD), Questionário Geral do Paciente, para dados sociodemográficos e o Formulário do Profissional Assistente, com as informações referentes as consultas. A dor lombar foi analisada a partir da frequência de três diferentes formas de apresentação: queixa autorreferida pelo paciente, sintoma registrado pelo médico e diagnóstico de lombalgia confirmado pelo médico. Resultados: 77,3% eram mulheres com mais de quatro anos de estudo e renda per capita inferior a um salário mínimo e meio. Encontramos associação significativa de queixa de dor lombar com ansiedade (OR=1,5, 95% IC 1,02-2,16) e somatização (OR=1,8, 95% IC 1,12-2,88), mas não com depressão. Pacientes que apresentavam queixa de dor lombar, porém sem registro do sintoma pelo médico, apresentaram associações ainda mais fortes com ansiedade (OR=1,6, 95% IC 1,03-2,63) e somatização (OR=2,3, 95% IC 1,33-3,99). A confirmação do diagnóstico de dor lombar pelo médico não se associou significativamente com nenhum transtorno. Conclusão: Considerando a dor lombar como uma das queixas de maior prevalência na Atenção Primária e sua associação significativa com ansiedade e somatização, recomenda-se a abordagem da ansiedade e somatização em pacientes com queixa de dor lombar.

Objective: To describe the demographic profile of the patients assisted in the Family Health Strategy of four Brazilian capitals (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre and Fortaleza) with low back pain and investigate the association between low back pain and depression, anxiety and somatization. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 1857 patients served in the years 2009 (September to November) and 2010 (June to August). Instruments: Screening of somatization (SOMS-2), evaluation of anxiety and depression (HAD), General Questionnaire of the Patient, for sociodemographic data and the Form of the Professional Assistant, with the information regarding the consultations. The low back pain was analyzed from the frequency of three different forms of presentation: auto reference complaint by the patient, symptom recorded by the doctor and diagnosis of backache confirmed by the doctor. Results: 77.3% were women with more than four years of study and per capita income less than a minimum wage and a half. We found significant association of low back pain complaints with anxiety (OR=1.5, 95% IC 1,02-2,16) and somatization (OR=1.8, 95% IC 1,12-2,88) but not with depression. Patients who complained of low back pain, but there was no record of the symptom by the doctor, presented even stronger associations with anxiety (OR=1.6, 95% IC 1,03-2,63) and somatization (OR=2.3, 95% IC 1,33-3,99). Confirmation of the diagnosis of low back pain by the doctor has not been associated significantly with any disorder. Conclusion: Considering low back pain as one of the most prevalence complaints in Primary Care and its significant association with anxiety and Somatization, it is recommended to approach anxiety and somatization in patients with a complaint of low back pain.

Objetivo: Describir el perfil demográfico de los pacientes asistidos en la Estrategia Salud de la Familia de cuatro capitales brasileño (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre y Fortaleza) con dolor lumbar e investigar la asociación entre el dolor lumbar y la depresión, ansiedad y somatización. Métodos: Estudio transversal con 1857 pacientes atendidos en los años 2009 (septiembre a noviembre) y 2010 (junio a agosto). Instrumentos: seguimiento de la somatización (SOMS-2), evaluación de la ansiedad y depresión (HAD), Cuestionario General del Paciente, para datos sociodemográficas y el Reporte del Profesional Asistente, con la información relativa a las consultas. El dolor lumbar fue analizado a partir de la frecuencia de tres diversas formas de presentación: queja auto-referida por el paciente, síntoma registrado por el médico y diagnosis del lumbago confirmado por el médico. Resultados: 77,3% fueron mujeres con más de cuatro años de estudio y renta per cápita menos de un salario mínimo y medio. Encontramos la asociación significativa de queja del dolor lumbar con la ansiedad (RM=1,5, el 95% IC 1,02-2,16) y somatización (RM=1,8, el 95% IC 1,12-2,88) pero no con la depresión. Los pacientes que se quejaron de dolor lumbar, pero no había registro del síntoma por el médico, presentaron asociaciones incluso más fuertes con la ansiedad (RM=1,6, el 95% IC 1,03-2,63) y somatización (RM=2,3, el 95% IC 1,33-3,99). La confirmación del diagnóstico de dolor lumbar por el médico no se ha asociado significativamente con ningún trastorno. Conclusión: Considerando el dolor lumbar como una de las quejas prevalentes de la mayoría en la Atención Primaria y su asociación significativa con la ansiedad y la somatización, se recomienda abordar a la ansiedad y a la somatización en pacientes con quejas de dolor lumbar.

Social support network, mental health and quality of life: a cross-sectional study in primary care.

The objective of this study was to identify the association between emotional distress and social support networks with quality of life in primary care patients. This was a cross-sectional study involving 1,466 patients in the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2009/2010. The General Health Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument were used. The Social Support Network Index classified patients with the highest and lowest index as socially integrated or isolated. A bivariate analysis and four multiple linear regressions were conducted for each quality of life outcome. The means scores for the physical, psychological, social relations, and environment domains were, respectively, 64.7; 64.2; 68.5 and 49.1. In the multivariate analysis, the psychological domain was negatively associated with isolation, whereas the social relations and environment domains were positively associated with integration. Integration and isolation proved to be important factors for those in emotional distress as they minimize or maximize negative effects on quality of life.

Saúde mental: apoio matricial [caso clínico parte 1]

Vídeo produzido com o PowToon e que apresenta a intervenção da equipe de saúde no caso de dona Elza, pois, após o falecimento de sua filha Joana, seu genro, José, passou a ter um comportamento estranho e fazer um uso abusivo de drogas e álcool, fazendo com que perdesse o emprego, além disso, ele foi atropelado no último fim de semana. Dona Elza estava muito preocupada, pois quem sustentava a família era Joana e José, agora, ela precisa pedir doações para a igreja para sustentar-se e a seu neto, Augusto.

Saúde mental: apoio matricial [caso clínico parte 2]

Recurso disponibilizado no módulo - Processos de trabalho colaborativo em saúde mental na atenção primária do curso de Capacitação em Saúde Mental na Atenção Primária ofertado pela UNA-SUS/UFMA. Trata-se de um vídeo produzido com o PowToon e que apresenta dona Elza em uma consulta compartilhada entre médica e a matriciadora de saúde mental, relatando que seu genro, José, está se recuperando do acidente que sofreu, e portanto, ainda não pode voltar a trabalhar. Ele se sente constantemente perseguido, por isso está recebendo acompanhamento psiquiátrico. Ela informa ainda que seu neto, Augusto, tem demonstrado desinteresse em brincadeiras com outras crianças e tem diminuído a interação com ela. Dessa forma, a equipe de saúde a encaminha para o CRAS, para ver a disponibilidade de receber algum benefício, enquanto Augusto é acolhido no grupo de criança da unidade. Em relação a José, a equipe discute a possibilidade dele receber tratamento fora do contexto hospitalar.

Saúde mental: apoio matricial [caso clínico parte 3]

Recurso disponibilizado no módulo - Processos de trabalho colaborativo em saúde mental na atenção primária do curso de Capacitação em Saúde Mental na Atenção Primária ofertado pela UNA-SUS/UFMA. Trata-se de um vídeo produzido com o PowToon e que apresenta Augusta, que começou a frequentar, a partir do que foi pactuado no projeto terapêutico, um grupo de crianças, passando a interagir melhor com as pessoas. Dona Elza, por sua vez, foi encaminhada ao CRAS e passou a frequentar um grupo de geração de renda a partir do artesanato. E em relação a José, as equipes avaliaram a possibilidade de acionar o CAPS especializado em álcool e drogas, diante da fragilidade que se encontra a família.

Saúde mental: apoio matricial [caso clínico parte 4]

Recurso disponibilizado no módulo - Processos de trabalho colaborativo em saúde mental na atenção primária do curso de Capacitação em Saúde Mental na Atenção Primária ofertado pela UNA-SUS/UFMA. Trata-se de um vídeo produzido com o PowToon e que apresenta José que, após receber alta hospitalar, começa a frequentar o grupo de fisioterapia, dessa forma, a equipe de saúde pode acompanhar toda a família, já que dona Elza e Augusto costumam aguardá-lo na unidade. José também começou a ir ao CAPS AD duas vezes na semana. Enquanto Augusto passou a se interessar mais por brincadeiras e pela interação com a equipe de saúde, com a avó e outras crianças da vizinhança.

Social support network, mental health and quality of life: a cross-sectional study in primary care / Rede de apoio social, saúde mental e qualidade de vida: um estudo transversal na atenção primária / Red de apoyo social, salud mental y calidad de vida: un estudio transversal en la atención primaria

The objective of this study was to identify the association between emotional distress and social support networks with quality of life in primary care patients. This was a cross-sectional study involving 1,466 patients in the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2009/2010. The General Health Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument were used. The Social Support Network Index classified patients with the highest and lowest index as socially integrated or isolated. A bivariate analysis and four multiple linear regressions were conducted for each quality of life outcome. The means scores for the physical, psychological, social relations, and environment domains were, respectively, 64.7; 64.2; 68.5 and 49.1. In the multivariate analysis, the psychological domain was negatively associated with isolation, whereas the social relations and environment domains were positively associated with integration. Integration and isolation proved to be important factors for those in emotional distress as they minimize or maximize negative effects on quality of life.

O estudo teve como objetivo identificar a associação entre sofrimento emocional e redes de apoio social com qualidade de vida em pacientes de atenção primária. O estudo transversal incluiu 1.466 pacientes nas cidades de São Paulo e Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre 2009 e 2010. Foram utilizados o General Health Questionnaire, a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale e a versão breve do World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument. O Índice de Redes Sociais de Apoio classificou os pacientes com as pontuações mais altas e baixas como sendo socialmente integrados ou isolados, respectivamente. Para cada resultado de qualidade vida, foram realizadas uma análise bivariada e quatro regressões lineares múltiplas. As médias para os domínios físico, psicológico, social e ambiental foram, respectivamente: 64,7; 64,2; 68,5 e 49,1. Na análise multivariada, o domínio psicológico mostrou associação negativa com o isolamento, enquanto os domínios social e ambiental foram associados positivamente com a integração. A integração e o isolamento apareceram como fatores importantes para aqueles com sofrimento emocional, já que minimizam ou maximizam os efeitos negativos sobre qualidade de vida.

El estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar la asociación entre sufrimiento emocional y redes de apoyo social con la calidad de vida en pacientes de atención primaria. El estudio transversal incluyó a 1.466 pacientes en las ciudades de São Paulo y Río de Janeiro, Brasil, entre 2009 y 2010. Se utilizaron el General Health Questionnaire, la Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale y la versión breve del World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument. El Índice de Redes Sociales de Apoyo clasificó a los pacientes con las puntuaciones más altas y bajas como estando socialmente integrados o aislados, respectivamente. Para cada resultado de calidad vida, se realizó un análisis bivariado y cuatro regresiones lineales múltiples. Las medias para los dominios físico, psicológico, social y ambiental fueron, respectivamente: 64,7; 64,2; 68,5 y 49,1. En el análisis multivariado, el dominio psicológico mostró una asociación negativa con el aislamiento, mientras los dominios social y ambiental se asociaron positivamente con la integración. La integración y el aislamiento aparecieron como factores importantes para aquellos con sufrimiento emocional, ya que minimizan o maximizan los efectos negativos sobre la calidad de vida.

The Maristán stigma scale: a standardized international measure of the stigma of schizophrenia and other psychoses.

BACKGROUND: People with schizophrenia face prejudice and discrimination from a number of sources including professionals and families. The degree of stigma perceived and experienced varies across cultures and communities. We aimed to develop a cross-cultural measure of the stigma perceived by people with schizophrenia. METHOD: Items for the scale were developed from qualitative group interviews with people with schizophrenia in six countries. The scale was then applied in face-to-face interviews with 164 participants, 103 of which were repeated after 30 days. Principal Axis Factoring and Promax rotation evaluated the structure of the scale; Horn's parallel combined with bootstrapping determined the number of factors; and intra-class correlation assessed test-retest reliability. RESULTS: The final scale has 31 items and four factors: informal social networks, socio-institutional, health professionals and self-stigma. Cronbach's alpha was 0.84 for the Factor 1; 0.81 for Factor 2; 0.74 for Factor 3, and 0.75 for Factor 4. Correlation matrix among factors revealed that most were in the moderate range [0.31-0.49], with the strongest occurring between perception of stigma in the informal network and self-stigma and there was also a weaker correlation between stigma from health professionals and self-stigma. Test-retest reliability was highest for informal networks [ICC 0.76 [0.67 -0.83]] and self-stigma [ICC 0.74 [0.64-0.81]]. There were no significant differences in the scoring due to sex or age. Service users in Argentina had the highest scores in almost all dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: The MARISTAN stigma scale is a reliable measure of the stigma of schizophrenia and related psychoses across several cultures. A confirmatory factor analysis is needed to assess the stability of its factor structure.

Brazilian multicentre study of common mental disorders in primary care: rates and related social and demographic factors.

Mental health problems are common in primary health care, particularly anxiety and depression. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of common mental disorders and their associations with socio-demographic characteristics in primary care in Brazil (Family Health Strategy). It involved a multicenter cross-sectional study with patients from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza (Ceará State) and Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul State), assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). The rate of mental disorders in patients from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre were found to be, respectively, 51.9%, 53.3%, 64.3% and 57.7% with significant differences between Porto Alegre and Fortaleza compared to Rio de Janeiro after adjusting for confounders. Prevalence proportions of mental problems were especially common for females, the unemployed, those with less education and those with lower incomes. In the context of the Brazilian government's moves towards developing primary health care and reorganizing mental health policies it is relevant to consider common mental disorders as a priority alongside other chronic health conditions.

Brazilian multicentre study of common mental disorders in primary care: rates and related social and demographic factors / Estudo multicêntrico brasileiro sobre transtornos mentais comuns na atenção primária: prevalência e fatores sociodemográficos relacionados / Estudio brasileño multicéntrico de trastornos mentales comunes en atención primaria: prevalencia y factores sociodemográficos relacionados

Mental health problems are common in primary health care, particularly anxiety and depression. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of common mental disorders and their associations with socio-demographic characteristics in primary care in Brazil (Family Health Strategy). It involved a multicenter cross-sectional study with patients from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza (Ceará State) and Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul State), assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). The rate of mental disorders in patients from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre were found to be, respectively, 51.9%, 53.3%, 64.3% and 57.7% with significant differences between Porto Alegre and Fortaleza compared to Rio de Janeiro after adjusting for confounders. Prevalence proportions of mental problems were especially common for females, the unemployed, those with less education and those with lower incomes. In the context of the Brazilian government's moves towards developing primary health care and reorganizing mental health policies it is relevant to consider common mental disorders as a priority alongside other chronic health conditions.

Problemas de saúde mental são comuns na atenção primária e são geralmente relacionados à ansiedade e à depressão. Este estudo tem o objetivo de avaliar a taxa de transtornos mentais comuns e suas associações com características sociodemográficas em unidades de saúde da família. É um estudo multicêntrico, transversal, com os usuários da atenção primária do Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza (Ceará) e Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul), Brasil. Utilizou-se o General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) e o Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). A taxa de transtornos mentais nos usuários do Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza e Porto Alegre foram, respectivamente, 51,9%, 53,3%, 64,3% e 57,7%, com diferenças significativas entre Porto Alegre e Fortaleza comparando-se ao Rio de Janeiro. Problemas de saúde mental foram especialmente altos em mulheres, desempregados, em pessoas com baixa escolaridade e com baixa renda. Dadas as iniciativas do governo brasileiro para o desenvolvimento os cuidados primários e para reorganização da política pública de saúde mental, é importante considerar os transtornos mentais comuns como uma prioridade tal como outras morbidades crônicas.

Los problemas de salud mental son comunes en la atención primaria y están relacionados con la ansiedad y la depresión. Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar las tasas de trastornos mentales comunes y sus asociaciones con las características sociodemográficas de los usuarios de la atención primaria. Se trata de un estudio multicéntrico, transversal, con usuarios de Río de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza y Porto Alegre, Brasil. Se utilizó el General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) y el Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). La tasa de trastornos mentales en pacientes de Río de Janeiro, São Paulo, Fortaleza (Ceará) y Porto Alegre (Río Grande do Sul) fueron, respectivamente, 51,9%, 53,3%, 64,3% y 57,7%, con diferencias significativas entre Porto Alegre y Fortaleza. Los problemas de salud mental fueron especialmente altos en las mujeres, desempleados, personas con bajo nivel educativo y quienes tienen bajos ingresos. Teniendo en cuenta los esfuerzos del gobierno brasileño para el desarrollo de la atención primaria y las políticas para la reorganización de la salud mental es importante considerar los trastornos mentales como una prioridad junto a otras afecciones crónicas.

Unmet needs in the management of schizophrenia.

Studies on unmet needs during the last decades have played a significant role in the development and dissemination of evidence-based community practices for persistent schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders. This review has thoroughly considered several blocks of unmet needs, which are frequently related to schizophrenic disorders. Those related to health have been the first block to be considered, in which authors have examined the frequent complications and comorbidities found in schizophrenia, such as substance abuse and dual diagnosis. A second block has been devoted to psychosocial and economic needs, especially within the field of recovery of the persistently mentally ill. Within this block, the effects of the current economic difficulties shown in recent literature have been considered as well. Because no patient is static, a third block has reviewed evolving needs according to the clinical staging model. The fourth block has been dedicated to integrated evidence-based interventions to improve the quality of life of persons with schizophrenia. Consideration of community care for those reluctant to maintain contact with mental health services has constituted the fifth block. Finally, authors have aggregated their own reflections regarding future trends. The number of psychosocial unmet needs is extensive. Vast research efforts will be needed to find appropriate ways to meet them, particularly regarding so-called existential needs, but many needs could be met only by applying existing evidence-based interventions. Reinforcing research on the implementation strategies and capacity building of professionals working in community settings might address this problem. The final aim should be based on the collaborative model of care, which rests on the performance of a case manager responsible for monitoring patient progress, providing assertive follow-up, teaching self-help strategies, and facilitating communication among the patient, family doctor, mental health specialist, and other specialists.

Standardization of the MARISTÁN scale to measure needs in people with schizophrenia and related psychoses.

OBJECTIVE: Existing measures of needs in severe mental illness have been developed mainly from professionals' viewpoints and are Eurocentric. Our aim was to standardize a measure of the needs of people with schizophrenia across several cultures and based on users' own viewpoints. METHOD: An instrument to measure needs, based on qualitative data on users', carers' and professionals' views, was tested in 164 people with schizophrenia or related psychoses in six countries. Participants underwent face-to-face interviews, one third of which were repeated 30 days later. Principal axis factoring and Promax rotation evaluated scale structure; Horn's parallel combined with bootstrapping determined the number of factors; and intra-class correlation assessed test-retest reliability. RESULTS: The instrument contained four factors: (1) health needs; (2) work and leisure needs; (3) existential needs; and (4) needs for support in daily living. Cronbach's α for internal consistency was 0.81, 0.81, 0.77 and 0.76 for factors 1-4 and 0.81 for the scale as a whole. Correlation between factors was of moderate range for the first three factors (0.41-0.50) and low for the fourth factor (0.14-0.29). Intra-class correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was 0.74 (0.64-0.82) for the whole scale. Mean item score on needs for support in daily living was lower than for the other factors. CONCLUSIONS: The MARISTÁN Scale of Needs evaluates needs from the patient perspective and it is a valid instrument to measure the needs of people with severe mental illness across cultures.

O cuidado aos usuários com transtorno mental em tratamento commedicação de depósito: percepções da equipe saúde da família / Care of mental patients undergoing treatment with slow release medications: perceptions of the family health team

A medicação de depósito vem sendo administrada em todas as unidades saúde da família de Londrina, com a finalidade de aumentar a adesão dos usuários com transtorno mental. O objetivo deste trabalho é apreender as percepções da equipe saúde da família na assistência ao usuário que faz uso da medicação de depósito. As informações foram obtidas por meio de grupo focal com estes profissionais e apreciadas pormeio da análise de conteúdo. Pode-se abstrair que houve melhora do acesso depois da descentralização deste medicamento para as unidades, porém não houve consenso quanto ao aumento da autonomia dos usuários após a nova terapêutica. Quanto à desospitalização evidenciaram-se falas de preocupação quanto à socialização destas pessoas. Permearam-se falas de alienação e negação sobre a assistênciaprestada, assim como falas da falta de infraestrutura, recursos humanos e educação permanente. Pode-seperceber a necessidade do apoio matricial como forma de enfrentamento.

The depot medication has been administered in all family health units in Londrina, in order to increasecompliance of users with mental disorder. The objective of this work is to understand the perceptions of family health team in assisting the user who makes use of depot medication. The information was obtained through focus group with these professionals and appreciated by content analysis. It ispossible to abstract an improvement after the decentralization of access to this medicine units, but there was no consensus in relation to the increase of autonomy of users after the new therapy. As for deinstitutionalization became evident statements of concern about the socialization of these people.Permeated up lines of alienation and denial about the care provided, as well as statements of lack of infrastructure, human resources and continuing education. It can be seen the necessity of matrix support as a way of coping.

Evaluation of a mental health training intervention for multidisciplinary teams in primary care in Brazil: a pre- and posttest study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to investigate whether a training intervention to enhance collaboration between mental health and primary care professionals improved the detection and management of mental health problems in primary health care in four large cities in Brazil. The training intervention was a multifaceted program over 96 h focused on development of a shared care model. METHOD: A quasiexperimental study design was undertaken with assessment of performance by nurse and general practitioners (GPs) pre- and postintervention. Rates of recognition of mental health disorders (compared with the General Health Questionnaire) were the primary outcome, while self-reports of patient-centered care, psychosocial interventions and referral were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Six to 8 months postintervention, no changes were observed in terms of rate of recognition across the entire sample. Nurses significantly increased their recognition rates (from 23% to 39%, P=.05), while GPs demonstrated a significant decrease (from 42% to 30%, P=.04). There were significant increases in reports of patient-centered care, but no changes in other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Training professionals in a shared care model was not associated with consistent improvements in the recognition or management of mental health problems. Although instabilities in the local context may have contributed to the lack of effects, wider changes in the system of care may be required to augment training and encourage reliable changes in behavior, and more specific educating models are necessary.

Standardised measures of needs, stigma and informal care in schizophrenia using a bottom-up, cross-cultural approach.

Background There is a lack of instruments to measure the needs, stigma and informal care of people with schizophrenia that take account of sociocultural variation and patients' and formal and informal carers' opinions and experiences. Aims To develop questionnaires to measure stigma, needs and informal (non-professional) care for people with schizophrenia. Method We undertook the study in seven countries and in English, Spanish and Portuguese. We first held focus group discussions with patients, formal carers (professionals) and informal carers (family and friends) in Spain, the UK, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Venezuela to elicit the main dimensions of needs, stigma and informal care. We then held nominal group discussions about these dimensions with patients, family members and professionals in Spain, Portugal and the UK, to develop the instruments. Results Three hundred and three people participated in 46 focus groups and results were discussed in three nominal groups, each involving eight participants. Three instruments were developed in this iterative process: needs for care (46 items), stigma (38 items) and informal care (20 items). Conclusions These instruments are based on service users' and carers' views and experiences and have cross-cultural validity. They will have application in assessment of outcomes for people with schizophrenia and their families.

MedCase - uma ferramenta online para estudo de casos clínicos / Medcase: an online tool for medical learning

Objetivo: descrever um software educacional que promove o auto-aprendizado em medicina através da utilização de uma ferramenta "online" para estudo de casos clínicos. Métodos: trata-se de um trabalho descritivo da construção de um "software" educacional para medicina. Durante um período de observação de aproximadamente 4 meses, os profissionais da área de informática, guiados por professores e alunos de medicina, acompanharam a rotina do ensino médico na Faculdade de Medicina da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. Foi, então, elaborado por um projeto para criação deste "software" (Sistema Medcase) baseado na utilização de softwares livres com códigos abertos. Resultados: o programa já se enontra disponível "online" para uso, restando ainda a confecção da "janela" de apresentação dos exames de imagem e gráficos eventualmente solicitados. Desde a janela de apresentação até o ambiente fórum todas as etapas disponíveis no MedCase são apresentadas no site: http://www.pucpr.br/famed/medcase. Conclusões: considerando novas tendências na área da educação, o MedCase representa uma nova proposta para comunidade médica acadêmica, ao viabilizar a união de conhecimento científico com ambientes tecnológicos. Acreditamos que este programa será muito útil no ensino médico em diferentes estágios de formação, desde alunos debutantes até professores de medicina.

The general practitioner and mental health problems: challenges and strategies for medical education.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Within the context of primary health care and mental disorders, our aim was to study the opinions of general practitioners regarding attendance of people with mental health problems. DESIGN AND SETTING: Qualitative focal group study among primary care services in the cities of Porto Alegre and Parobé, State of Rio Grande do Sul. METHODS: A deliberately selected sample of 41 general practitioners who were working in basic health services met in focal groups. Two videos were presented, which simulated consultations for patients with depression and psychoses. The discussions about the identification and handling of mental health problems were recorded and assessed via content analysis. RESULTS: The opinions related to the difficulties of diagnosing and treating mental problems, the involvement of relatives in caring for patients, the difficulty of compliance with the treatment, the uncertainty experienced by physicians and the difficulty of referring patients to specialized services. CONCLUSIONS: The general practitioners indicated that they perceived the mental health problems among their clientele, but the diagnosis and treatment of these problems are still seen as a task for specialists. The challenge of continuing education on mental health requires methods of interactive and critical teaching, such as the problem-based approach.