Lekoloane Frans M, Mamahlodi Marang T
Department of Health Studies, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
Health SA. 2025 Jul 7;30:2896. doi: 10.4102/hsag.v30i0.2896. eCollection 2025.
Millions of people worldwide are affected by major depressive disorder (MDD). However, those with MDD do not receive treatment. More studies have been conducted on the efficacy of medications rather than the subjective experiences of mental healthcare users (MHCUs).
This study was conducted to investigate the experiences of MHCUs regarding the quality of their MDD treatment and to suggest recommendations that are necessary to bring a positive change towards the quality of MDD treatment.
The study was conducted at a Tshwane District Hospital.
A qualitative, exploratory study was used in this study. Seventeen MHCUs were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using observations, interviews and focus group discussions, and the data were analysed using grounded theory.
One theme emerged from this study: 'The holistic treatment approach'. Two sub-themes emerged: 'Administration of service delivery' and 'Challenges of service delivery'.
Research findings show that the current treatment of MDD is beneficial. However, challenges exist that negatively affect the quality of the MDD treatment and they need to be addressed urgently by relevant stakeholders.
The study could contribute through: (1) providing recommendations that, if implemented, could assist the decision-makers and MHCPs in understanding the quality of MDD treatment from the MHCUs' perspective and utilise these for policy development and to make necessary treatment adjustments.
全球数百万人受重度抑郁症（MDD）影响。然而，患有重度抑郁症的人并未接受治疗。针对药物疗效的研究比针对精神卫生保健使用者（MHCUs）主观体验的研究更多。
本研究旨在调查精神卫生保健使用者对其重度抑郁症治疗质量的体验，并提出有助于积极改变重度抑郁症治疗质量的建议。
本研究在茨瓦内地区医院进行。
本研究采用定性探索性研究方法。采用目的抽样法选取了17名精神卫生保健使用者。通过观察、访谈和焦点小组讨论收集数据，并运用扎根理论对数据进行分析。
本研究得出一个主题：“整体治疗方法”。出现了两个子主题：“服务提供管理”和“服务提供挑战”。
研究结果表明，目前的重度抑郁症治疗是有益的。然而，存在一些对重度抑郁症治疗质量产生负面影响的挑战，相关利益攸关方需要紧急应对这些挑战。
本研究可通过以下方式做出贡献：（1）提供建议，若得以实施，可协助决策者和精神卫生保健专业人员从精神卫生保健使用者的角度理解重度抑郁症治疗质量，并将其用于政策制定和进行必要的治疗调整。
