TY - JOUR
AU - Y. Mueller
AU - S. Cristofani
AU - C. Rodriguez
AU - R. T. Malaguiok
AU - T. Gil
AU - R. F. Grais
AU - R. Souza
A1 - 
AB - 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.
BT - Conflict and health
C5 - General Literature
CY - England
DO - 10.1186/1752-1505-5-3
JF - Conflict and health
N2 - 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.
PP - England
PY - 2011
SN - 1752-1505; 1752-1505
SP - 3
T1 - Integrating mental health into primary care for displaced populations: the experience of Mindanao, Philippines
T2 - Conflict and health
TI - Integrating mental health into primary care for displaced populations: the experience of Mindanao, Philippines
U1 - General Literature
U2 - 21385338
U3 - 10.1186/1752-1505-5-3
VL - 5
VO - 1752-1505; 1752-1505
Y1 - 2011
ER -