INTEGRATED CARE IN THE PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE NETWORK

PERCEPTIONS OF MANAGERS, WORKERS, AND USERS

Abstract

Integrated care can be understood from the organization of health services, professional practices, or intersectoral policies and actions that consider the complexity of individuals in their context. In the mental health field, it is associated with the commitment to care in freedom, in a community-based care network. The study aims to discuss the understanding of managers, workers, and users of the Psychosocial Care Network about integrated care. This is an exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study in three municipalities in the country's Southern Region, with different population sizes. 15 semi-structured interviews were carried out with a manager, two workers, and two users from each municipality, subsequently submitted to Content Analysis. The understanding of integrated care is presented in two categories: Understanding individuals and Articulation of care. Strengthening Primary Health Care, computerization, shared care, professional qualification, use of Integrative and Complementary Practices, receptiveness and attachment, and uniqueness of care stood out among the facilitators for achieving integrated care. The barriers identified were structural deficiencies, obstacles in work processes, prejudice against mental health, social vulnerability, difficulty in access, and dissatisfaction with care. Encouragement of continuing health education, approximation of network services, analyzing mental health data, expanding financial investments, and making users co-responsible are strategies presented to overcome barriers in favor of comprehensive care in the network. The proposed strategies are expected to provide clues for the implementation of even more comprehensive and humanized mental health care.