[Viewpoint of the primary health care: are the new units of mental health useful?].

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact on primary care of the new mental health units (MHU).

DESIGN

Descriptive study based in a mail survey.

SETTING

Primary care professionals of the Valencian Health Service (Autonomous Valencian Community).

SUBJECTS

847 professionals answered on time (45, 9, 37, 4% were general practitioners, pediatricians, nurses and social workers, respectively).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In this research were assessed the primary care viewpoint about activities, resources and the level of satisfaction with the mental health units. A 15-items survey was used. The results suggest that this new units have improved accessibility, treatments and communication between levels; waiting-time for appointment in child mental health and the number and distribution of resources were the worse aspects. We found a relationship between positive views of MHU and earlier contact with mental disorders or treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary-caregivers can do like referees to evaluate the mental health care. A positive image of these MHU was showed.