Abstract
BackgroundInstitutionalisation of mental healthcare users was a prevalent treatment approach in the apartheid era in South Africa. The introduction of community-based mental healthcare is aimed at improving mental healthcare services. The integration into primary healthcare improves access to mental health services. This integration is implemented by professional nurses working in the primary healthcare clinics.AimThe aim of this study was to explore and describe experiences of professional nurses regarding integration of mental health into primary healthcare at the iLembe district of KwaZulu-Natal.SettingThis study was conducted at a public hospital in the iLembe health district of KwaZulu-Natal province.MethodsAn explorative, descriptive and contextual qualitative research study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 professional nurses. Data were transcribed verbatim, organised into codes and finally analysed thematically using Tesch’s method of data analysis.ResultsThis study revealed that majority of participants experienced and faced challenges regarding integration of mental health into primary healthcare. Professional nurses stated that they require support from the management and training to equip themselves with knowledge and skills to render effective mental healthcare services.ConclusionThe integration of mental healthcare into primary healthcare is pivotal to ensure easy and accessible mental healthcare services to its users. This strategy requires planning and implementations of available policies and guidelines regarding mental healthcare. Furthermore, adequate funding is required to secure human and material resources to aid the integration of mental healthcare into primary healthcare.
Highlights
Institutionalisation of mental healthcare users served as the primary and most dominant treatment approach before and during the apartheid era in South Africa (Lucas & Stevenson 2006)
All primary healthcare institutions, including the level 1 district hospital, rendering mental healthcare services at iLembe healthcare district were sampled to be included in the study, and all clinics not rendering mental healthcare facilities in this district were excluded from this research
Availability of working material The study findings revealed that professional nurses find it difficult to perform their duties because of either limited or non-availability of working material
Summary
Institutionalisation of mental healthcare users served as the primary and most dominant treatment approach before and during the apartheid era in South Africa (Lucas & Stevenson 2006). As one of a number of evidence-driven service improvement modifications, the country’s Department of Health prioritised improvement in mental healthcare by recommending, inter alia, deinstitutionalisation and reintegration of mental healthcare users into the community (Skeen et al 2010). These improvements coincided with South Africa’s political independence. This integration is implemented by professional nurses working in the primary healthcare clinics
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