Follow-up of Mental Health Care Users in the Primary Care Setting in South Africa

Abstract

The objective of this qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research was to explore and describe nurses’ experience of follow-up and follow-through care of mental health care users in the primary care setting of South Africa. Thirty clinics were represented in two provinces. A total of 55 nurses took part in the research. Data on nurses’ experience of follow-up and follow-through care of mental health care users in the primary care setting of South Africa were collected through open, in-depth interviews and naïve sketches. The data were analysed using a descriptive method of open coding. The barriers impacting on quality follow-up and follow-through care were related to inadequate service provision associated with the availability of resources (human, time, infrastructure); practice system support as well as the attitudes of the mental health care user and the family. Despite indications of pockets of excellence in South Africa’s primary care setting, there seems to be a high level of unmet needs related to follow-up and follow-through services.