Western-trained mental health practitioners' perceptions of patients' access to mental health services in Mashishing, Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Abstract

This study explored Western-trained mental health practitioners’ perceptions of patients’ access to mental health services. The study objectives were to establish what Western-trained mental health practitioners perceive as factors that facilitate patients’ access to mental health services, and to determine factors that practitioners perceive as barriers to patients’ access to mental health services. Fifteen healthcare professionals (n = 15) were conveniently and purposefully sampled for participation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data. The data was then analysed thematically. The presentation and discussion of the findings are grounded in the Theoretical Domains Framework. The study found that there are multi-layered factors that enable and hinder patients’ access to mental health care services in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. Enabling factors included the following: a) improvement of nurses’ knowledge of mental health; b) de-stigmatisation of mental illness; c) introduction of community rehabilitation centres and educational programmes; d) service access that is prompted by the need to manage various mental health problems; e) implementation of community mental health talks; f) mental awareness campaigns and mental health education; and the g) provision of quality mental health care services by professionals. Hindrances to mental health care delivery included the following: a) lack of follow-up systems of care for service user;community’s lack of mental health knowledge and awareness; b) lack of adequately trained personnel; c) ill-treatment of service users by practitioners; d) lack of infrastructure and resources; e)physical and structural barriers to shortage of medication; f) stigma of mental illness; g) lack of social support; h)belief systems and cultural influences; i) patient denial and poor insight into mental illness, and; j) a lack of professional supervision for outpatient treatment. The findings suggest that improving access to mental health services by removing hindrances can be beneficial to mental health care users and society. Based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), the findings were examined, and conclusions were drawn. It is recommended that the government immediately address identified hindrances to mental health service delivery. The limitations associated with this study are also highlighted.