ISSN:
1433-9285
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary This is a follow-up report of a program developed for the extension of mental health services in Cali, Colombia, utilizing auxiliary nurses with special training and supervision. The previous program was carried out at the psychiatric institution. The present program takes place at an urban health center, utilizing auxiliary nurses involved in general health activities who were given a short theoretical course and more intensive practical training sessions. In order to evaluate this new experience patients who attended the urban health center were given the Patient's Symptom Scale (PASSR) for adults and (RQC) for children. Of these, 45 patients were referred to be treated by the traditional method, which uses medical interns supervised by psychiatrists at a psychiatric out-patient clinic, and 64 patients were treated by the auxiliary nurses at the health center. It was found that both groups improved to the same degree, as shown by the self-report symptom scale at a 1-year follow-up. No differences were found at follow-up on the social adjustment and attitudes towards treatment scales. The results suggest that ANs function well in the delivery of mental health services under conditions described here and that there are some advantages to using them due to their awareness of psychosocial variables affecting the health of these deprived populations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00583994
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