Department of Psychiatry, Chainama College of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Int Rev Psychiatry. 2010;22(6):550-7. doi: 10.3109/09540261.2010.536148.
Human resources for mental health care in low- and middle-income countries are inadequate to meet the growing public health burden of neuropsychiatric disorders. Information on actual numbers is scarce, however. The aim of this study was to analyse the key human resource constraints and challenges facing Zambia's mental health care system, and the possible solutions. This study used both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The WHO-AIMS Version 2.2 was utilized to ascertain actual figures on human resource availability. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to assess key stakeholders' perceptions regarding the human resource constraints and challenges. The results revealed an extreme scarcity of human resources dedicated to mental health in Zambia. Respondents highlighted many human resource constraints, including shortages, lack of post-graduate and in-service training, and staff mismanagement. A number of reasons for and consequences of these problems were highlighted. Dedicating more resources to mental health, increasing the output of qualified mental health care professionals, stepping up in-service training, and increasing political will from government were amongst the key solutions highlighted by the respondents. There is an urgent need to scale up human and financial resources for mental health in Zambia.
中低收入国家的精神卫生保健人力资源不足以应对神经精神障碍日益增长的公共卫生负担。然而，关于实际人数的信息却很少。本研究旨在分析赞比亚精神卫生保健系统面临的关键人力资源限制和挑战，以及可能的解决方案。本研究使用了定性和定量方法。利用世卫组织人力卫生资源评估与规划工具（第二版）来确定人力资源实际情况。进行半结构化访谈和焦点小组讨论，以评估关键利益攸关方对人力资源限制和挑战的看法。结果显示，赞比亚精神卫生领域的人力资源极度匮乏。受访者强调了许多人力资源限制因素，包括短缺、缺乏研究生和在职培训以及人员管理不善。还强调了这些问题的一些原因和后果。受访者强调的主要解决方案包括：更多地投入精神卫生资源、增加合格的精神卫生保健专业人员的数量、加强在职培训以及提高政府的政治意愿。赞比亚迫切需要增加精神卫生方面的人力和财力资源。
