Mbedzi Takalani E, Van der Wath Anna E, Moagi Miriam M
Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria.
Curationis. 2024 Nov 8;47(2):e1-e11. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v47i2.2625.
In South Africa, many mental healthcare users reside in rural areas and 91% of them live with their family members. Exploring and describing the needs of family members caring for mental healthcare users is important to determine their expectations of the healthcare system.
The study aimed to explore and describe the healthcare needs and expectations of family members caring for mental healthcare users in Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South AfricaMethod: A qualitative, descriptive and contextual design was used to collect data from 16 purposively selected family members caring for mental healthcare users. Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews, and analysed using thematic data analysis to develop themes and categories.
The results of the interviews yielded two themes, healthcare needs and expectations of family members. The needs included physical healthcare, psychological healthcare, and social, financial, educational and spiritual needs. The healthcare expectations were divided into two sub-themes: (1) expectations from the healthcare systems, and (2) expectations from healthcare professionals.
The study showed that support from community members and healthcare providers could reduce the burden of care perceived by family members. Results confirmed the need for developing a family psychoeducational programme adapted to the South African context to meet the family members' needs. Quantitative research on healthcare needs with a larger sample of family members is recommended.Contribution: The study may contribute to mental health nursing practice and education. Nursing support based on the needs of family members may enhance their well-being and caregiving abilities. The importance of tailor-made psychoeducational family support should be emphasised in nursing education.
在南非，许多精神卫生保健使用者居住在农村地区，其中91%与家人同住。探索和描述照顾精神卫生保健使用者的家庭成员的需求，对于确定他们对医疗保健系统的期望很重要。
本研究旨在探索和描述南非林波波省韦姆贝区照顾精神卫生保健使用者的家庭成员的医疗保健需求和期望。
采用定性、描述性和情境性设计，从16名经过有目的选择的照顾精神卫生保健使用者的家庭成员中收集数据。通过半结构化面对面访谈收集数据，并使用主题数据分析来形成主题和类别。
访谈结果产生了两个主题，即家庭成员的医疗保健需求和期望。需求包括身体保健、心理保健以及社会、经济、教育和精神需求。医疗保健期望分为两个子主题：（1）对医疗保健系统的期望，以及（2）对医疗保健专业人员的期望。
该研究表明，社区成员和医疗保健提供者的支持可以减轻家庭成员感受到的护理负担。结果证实需要制定适合南非情况的家庭心理教育计划，以满足家庭成员的需求。建议对更多家庭成员样本进行医疗保健需求的定量研究。
该研究可能有助于精神卫生护理实践和教育。基于家庭成员需求的护理支持可能会提高他们的幸福感和护理能力。在护理教育中应强调量身定制的心理教育家庭支持的重要性。
