Factors leading to re-admission of mental health care users in Thabamoopo Hospital in the Capricorn District

Abstract

Background: Re-admission is a common problem encountered in psychiatric care. Re-admissions are often, but not always, related to a problem inadequately resolved in the prior hospitalization. A better understanding of factors leading multiple psychiatric admissions is needed. Such knowledge can help planners to set priorities and to make appropriate services and resources available to mental health care users and their families after hospital discharge.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the factors leading to re-admission of mental health care users at the Thabamoopo Psychiatric Hospital, Limpopo Province.

Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological research approach was used to explore the factors leading to readmission of mental health care users. Purposive sampling was used to select participants of the study at the Thabamoopo Hospital. Twelve one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted. Ethical clearance was granted by the Medunsa Research Ethics Committee and permission to collect data was granted by the Limpopo Department of Health. The data were analysed through Tesch’s method of analysis.

Results: The research findings indicate that the use of substances, non-adherence to psychiatric medication, the nature of the illness and social problems contributes to readmission of mental health care users.

Conclusion and recommendations: In order to deal with factors related to re-admission of mental health care users, the mental health care practitioners, mental health care users and their families must be involved and work together.