Mental health services in the Dominican Republic from the perspective of health care providers

This study examines mental health services in five different regions of the Dominican Republic (DR) from the perspectives of health care providers. The purpose of this research was to (1) examine existing mental health care services; (2) identify barriers to treatment and mental health services delivery; and (3) explore potential strategies to improve mental health services delivery. Thirty-seven health care workers including physicians, nurses, psychologists, governmental administrators, and non-governmental community health workers were part of five focus groups and subsequent follow-up interviews. Transcripts were coded and analysed to obtain the most parsimonious categories of themes. Results indicated that there is insufficient funding allocated to mental health. The unreliable distribution of psychiatric medications precludes care for patients with severe chronic mental illness. Stigmatising attitudes among health care providers influences the quality of care. The prevalence of domestic violence is a significant public health problem contributing to mental illness. In conclusion, our study findings call for a re-examination of priority public health foci, with special attention to mental health and domestic violence in the DR. From a policy perspective, mental health care should be integrated into primary care and coupled with provider and patient education to reduce stigma. A social determinants approach could ameliorate systemic factors contributing to mental illness.