Abstract
BackgroundAbout 1468 Syrian and Turkish doctors, serving in primary health care, have received the mhGAP training during 2016–2019. As additional training needs were identified, MoH and WHO wanted to understand the usefulness of the training and its impact in responding to the mental health needs of Syrian refugees in Turkey.MethodsA five component assessment was done in 2019, consisting of feedback of trainees, assessment of increase in knowledge; utilization of service; compliance to treatment guidelines and service user satisfaction. The purpose was to understand the perception of participants on the training; estimate the knowledge gained—attributable to the training; estimate the increase in mental health cases identified and treated; compliance with treatment guidelines; as well as perception of the services received by end-beneficiaries.ResultsResults indicate that most of the respondents were happy with the training, but preferred additional mhGAP training as a refresher course in the future. There was knowledge gained due to the training, 9% for the Syrian and 5% for Turkish doctors. The knowledge gained has helped the practicing doctors to be more attentive and increase the numbers of cases diagnosed after the training for almost all groups of diagnoses. Most doctors, observed during practice, comply with the guidelines shared during the training, but improvement is still needed when it comes to prescription and treatment of certain conditions. The average number of mental health cases identified increased by 38 (%27) cases in the year following the training. We observed over 70% compliance with guidelines for 9 out of 12 criteria in question. The results of the patient exit interviews indicate a high level of satisfaction with the MHPSS services provided. About 95% of beneficiaries were happy with the quality of the service, and 92% having their needs met.ConclusionsThe mhGAP training was found useful. More training should be conducted to fill in the gap in service provision and meet the mental needs of Syrian refugees in Turkey.
Highlights
About 1468 Syrian and Turkish doctors, serving in primary health care, have received the mental health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) training during 2016–2019
This study aims to provide a comprehensive picture on how the MoH and WHO training program helped Syrian and Turkish health professionals (GPs) get more knowledge on mental health disorders, diagnosis and treatment; and how it lead to a service improvement for the Syrian refugees in need of mental health services in Turkey
The invitation to the doctors that completed the mhGAP training course was send via email by the MoH, and the reported email is the only unique identifier for this component of the assessment
Summary
About 1468 Syrian and Turkish doctors, serving in primary health care, have received the mhGAP training during 2016–2019. As additional training needs were identified, MoH and WHO wanted to understand the usefulness of the training and its impact in responding to the mental health needs of Syrian refugees in Turkey. Numerous studies have highlighted the role that war, armed conflict, torture, hunger, forced migration, and post-migration assimilation to host population have in mental health illness [1, 2]. Being a refugee/migrant, the mental health disorders (post-traumatic stress disorder; depression and anxiety) will take a toll, but especially women, children and adolescents will be more affected. Women that have suffered violence, rape, intimate partner violence are more prone to PTSD, as are Karaoğlan Kahiloğulları et al Int J Ment Health Syst (2020) 14:84 children and adolescents, especially in temporary shelters [3, 4]
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