Ashcroft R, Menear M, Greenblatt A, Silveira J, Dahrouge S, Sunderji N, Emode M, Booton J, Muchenje M, Cooper R, Haughton A, McKenzie K. Patient perspectives on quality of care for depression and anxiety in primary health care teams: A qualitative study.
Health Expect 2021;
24:1168-1177. [PMID:
33949060 PMCID:
PMC8369101 DOI:
10.1111/hex.13242]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Widespread policy reforms in Canada, the United States and elsewhere over the last two decades strengthened team models of primary care by bringing together family physicians and nurse practitioners with a range of mental health and other interdisciplinary providers. Understanding how patients with depression and anxiety experience newer team-based models of care delivery is essential to explore whether the intended impact of these reforms is achieved, identify gaps that remain and provide direction on strengthening the quality of mental health care.
OBJECTIVE
The main study objective was to understand patients' perspectives on the quality of care that they received for anxiety and depression in primary care teams.
METHODS
This was a qualitative study, informed by constructivist grounded theory. We conducted focus groups and individual interviews with primary care patients about their experiences with mental health care. Focus groups and individual interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Grounded theory guided an inductive analysis of the data.
RESULTS
Forty patients participated in the study: 31 participated in one of four focus groups, and nine completed an individual interview. Participants in our study described their experiences with mental health care across four themes: accessibility, technical care, trusting relationships and meeting diverse needs.
CONCLUSION
Greater attention by policymakers is needed to strengthen integrated collaborative practices in primary care so that patients have similar access to mental health services across different primary care practices, and smoother continuity of care across sectors. The research team is comprised of individuals with lived experience of mental health who have participated in all aspects of the research process.
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