Abstract
Introduction
Differences in primary care facilities' preparedness for implementing mental health counselling may affect the implementation process but have rarely been studied.
Aim
To assess the feasibility of using a novel methodological approach to explore variations in capability for implementing mental health counselling and factors potentially associated with this variation among primary care services in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Methods
Staff from 26 facilities participated in discussions about their facility's mental health implementation capability. Three researchers conducted observations of the facility's environment, staff–patient interactions and resources. We used qualitative comparative analysis to identify factors potentially associated with implementation capability.
Results
Facilities appeared to vary in their capability for implementing counselling services. The availability of person‐centred health services, a therapeutic environment and sufficient human resources may be requirements for implementation preparedness. Other factors that seem to support preparedness include the availability of confidential space for counselling and an adequately managed facility.
Discussion
This study identified several features of well‐functioning primary care facilities. Facilities with these features may be better prepared to implement a new counselling service.
Implications for practice
This method may identify facilities that are poorly prepared for implementation that could benefit from preparedness‐building interventions. Whether differences in preparedness affect counselling outcomes is yet to be established.
Differences in primary care facilities' preparedness for implementing mental health counselling may affect the implementation process but have rarely been studied.
Aim
To assess the feasibility of using a novel methodological approach to explore variations in capability for implementing mental health counselling and factors potentially associated with this variation among primary care services in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Methods
Staff from 26 facilities participated in discussions about their facility's mental health implementation capability. Three researchers conducted observations of the facility's environment, staff–patient interactions and resources. We used qualitative comparative analysis to identify factors potentially associated with implementation capability.
Results
Facilities appeared to vary in their capability for implementing counselling services. The availability of person‐centred health services, a therapeutic environment and sufficient human resources may be requirements for implementation preparedness. Other factors that seem to support preparedness include the availability of confidential space for counselling and an adequately managed facility.
Discussion
This study identified several features of well‐functioning primary care facilities. Facilities with these features may be better prepared to implement a new counselling service.
Implications for practice
This method may identify facilities that are poorly prepared for implementation that could benefit from preparedness‐building interventions. Whether differences in preparedness affect counselling outcomes is yet to be established.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 163-174 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 5-6 |
| Early online date | 15 Apr 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2019 |
Keywords
- South Africa
- implementation capability
- mental health
- primary care
- task sharing