Mental health task-sharing in South Africa – a role for clinical associates?

ABSTRACT:

Background

South Africa (SA) lacks the specialised workforce needed to provide mental health services particularly in the public sector and in rural areas. Mid-level medical workers offer a potential option for mental health task-sharing in countries where they exist, including SA. The objectives of the study were to explore the roles that SA’s mid-level medical worker cadre (clinical associates) could play in mental health service delivery, and to explore views on advanced training in mental health for this cadre.

Methods

This was an explorative, qualitative study involving key informants linked to the three clinical associate training programmes in SA. A total of 19 in-depth interviews were conducted with university-based academic staff, facility-based trainers, and stu

SUBMITTER: Moodley S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9547675 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature