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Integrating mental health into primary care for displaced populations: the experience of Mindanao, Philippines | Journal Article / Research | MSF Science Portal
Journal Article
|Research

Integrating mental health into primary care for displaced populations: the experience of Mindanao, Philippines

Mueller YK, Cristofani S, Rodriguez CA, Malaguiok RT, Gil T, Grais RF, Souza R
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
For more than forty years, episodes of violence in the Mindanao conflict have recurrently led to civilian displacement. In 2008, Medecins Sans Frontieres set up a mental health program integrated into primary health care in Mindanao Region. In this article, we describe a model of mental health care and the characteristics and outcomes of patients attending mental health services.

METHODS
Psychologists working in mobile clinics assessed patients referred by trained clinicians located at primary level. They provided psychological first aid, brief psychotherapy and referral for severe patients. Patient characteristics and outcomes in terms of Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ20) and Global Assessment of Functioning score (GAF) are described.

RESULTS
Among the 463 adult patients diagnosed with a common mental disorder with at least two visits, median SRQ20 score diminished from 7 to 3 (p < 0.001) and median GAF score increased from 60 to 70 (p < 0.001). Baseline score and score at last assessment were different for both discharged patients and defaulters (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Brief psychotherapy sessions provided at primary level during emergencies can potentially improve patients' symptoms of distress.

Countries

Philippines

Subject Area

displaced populationsenvironmental healthmental health

Languages

English
DOI
10.1186/1752-1505-5-3
Published Date
07 Mar 2011
PubMed ID
21385338
Journal
Conflict and Health
Volume | Issue | Pages
Volume 5, Issue 1, Pages 3
Issue Date
2011-03-07
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