In the last few years, the Peruvian Ministry of Health has started a mental health care reform to address the high burden of neuropsychiatric disorders and the mental health treatment gap. This reform seeks to implement a community-based care model. As part of this process, new facilities have been created, among them, the community mental health centers (CMHC). One of the programs within the CMHCs is the Continuity of Care and Rehabilitation Program aimed towards users with severe mental illness.

This program must be implemented following the guidelines as part of the CMHC. However, due to its recent implementation in the last three years and the continuous opening of new CMHC, there is a current gap in information about its implementation. In addition, a limitation in the implementation of CMHC is the absence of a monitoring system which providers information about the needs, ongoing functioning and results of the program, ultimately limiting the assessment and decision-making for its optimization and scale-up nationally.

In this context, this collaborative project between CRONICAS and the Mental Health Directorate of the Ministry of Health (DSAME) is created, supported by funding from the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO).

Aim:

To analyze the implementation and monitoring process of the continuity of care and rehabilitation program in the CMHCs and propose appropriate and feasible indicators and monitoring procedures that promote its adequate management.

Study design:

Cross-sectional descriptive study, consisting of two phases:

Phase 1: Qualitative study to explore the implementation and monitoring process of the program.

Phase 2: Creation and validation of indicators and monitoring procedures for the program.

Result:

See publications.

Contact:

Francisco Diez Canseco, MPH

fdiezcanseco@upch.pe