Experiences of Primary Care nurses regarding mental disorders

Authors

  • Carla Danielle Araújo Feitosa Federal University of Piauí image/svg+xml , Colégio Técnico de Bom Jesus
  • Polyana Norberta Mendes Centro Universitário Santo Agostinho
  • Nelson Miguel Galindo Neto Instituto Federal de Pernambuco
  • Jaqueline Carvalho e Silva Sales Federal University of Piauí image/svg+xml
  • Sandra Cristina Pillon University of São Paulo image/svg+xml , Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto
  • Márcia Astrês Fernandes

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1806-6976.smad.2025.231415

Keywords:

Mental Disorders, Primary Health Care, Mental Health, Mental Health Assistance

Abstract

Objective: to reveal the experiences of Primary Care nurses with regard to mental disorders.
Methodology: qualitative research based on the theory of social representations, conducted
with Primary Health Care nurses through interviews. The data were processed on the Interface de R Pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires software and analyzed through the Descending Hierarchical Classification. Results: the results emerged in three classes. The first provides information on the most prevalent mental disorders in the population assisted by nurses and their particularities; the second characterizes the barriers and facilitators for qualified care for those with mental disorders and suffering; and the third brings the questions that permeate the management of mental health cases by nurses. Conclusion: the experience of Primary Care nurses covers mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, the presence of difficulties and facilitators, as well as questions that permeate care provision.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Bujold M, Pluye P, Légaré F, Participatory Review Team. Decision-making and related outcomes of patients with complex care needs in primary care settings: a systematic literature review with a case-based qualitative synthesis. BMC Prim Care. 2022;23(1):279. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01879-5

2. Pouls KP, Koks-Leensen MC, Mastebroek M, Leusink GL, Assendelft WJ. Adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health disorders in primary care: a scoping review. Br J Gen Pract. 2022;72(716):e168-e178. https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2021.0164

3. Kaufman EA, McDonell MG, Cristofalo MA, Ries RK. Exploring barriers to primary care for patients with severe mental illness: frontline patient and provider accounts. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2012;33(3):172-80. https://doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2011.638415

4. Grudniewicz A, Peckham A, Rudoler D, Lavergne MR, Ashcroft R, Corace K, et al. Primary care for individuals with serious mental illness (PriSMI): protocol for a convergent mixed methods study. BMJ Open. 2022;12:e065084. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065084

5. Rodrigues TFCS, Cardoso LCB, Silva M, Paiano M, Salci MA, Radovanovic CAT. Perspectives for the use of telemedicine in mental health care in primary care. Enferm Foco. 2022;13(spe1):e-202222ESP1. https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2022.v13.e-202222ESP1

6. Komaromy M, Bartlett J, Manis K, Arora S. Enhanced primary care treatment of behavioral disorders with ECHO case-based learning. Psychiatr Serv. 2017;68(9):873-5. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201600471

7. Tavares JH, Silva SD, Pinheiro EPF, Vasconcelos JS, Rodrigues DP, Oliveira MAF. Mental health: social representations of the nurses of the family health strategy. R Pesq Cuid Fundam. 2023;15:e11984. https://doi.org/10.9789/2175-5361.rpcfo.v15.11984

8. Gusmão ROM, Viana TM, Araújo DD, Torres JD, Silva Junior RF. The role of mental health nurses in the family health strategy. J Health Biol Sci. 2022;10(1):1-6. https://doi.org/10.12662/2317-3076jhbs.v10i1.3721.p1-6.2022

9. Brasil. Lei nº 10.216, de 6 de abril de 2001. Dispõe sobre a proteção e os direitos das pessoas portadoras de transtornos mentais e redireciona o modelo assistencial em saúde mental. Diário Oficial da União. 2001 Apr 9 [cited 2024 Oct 16];seção 1:2. Available from: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/LEIS_2001/L10216.htm

10. Carneiro MP, Veras LM, Fernandes CSGV, Vieira MCS, Rios GBM, Costa LB. Evaluation of a training for primary care professionals aiming at reducing stigma of mental disorders. Rev Bras Med Fam Comunidade. 2022;17(44):2766. https://doi.org/10.5712/rbmfc17(44)2766

11. Silva AMF, Martini JG, Becker SG. The social representation theory in graduate nursing dissertations and theses: a bibliometric profile. Texto Contexto Enferm. 2011;20(2):294-300. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-07072011000200011

12. Spink MJP. The Concept of Social Representations in Social Psychology. Cad Saude Publica. 1993;9(3):300-8. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X1993000300017

13. Falqueto JMZ, Hoffmann VE, Farias JS. Theoretical Saturation in Qualitative Research: report of an experience of application under study in the administration field. Rev Cienc Adm. 2018;20(52):40-53. https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8077.2018V20n52p40

14. Souza MAR, Wall ML, Thuler ACMC, Lowen IMV, Peres AM. The use of IRAMUTEQ software for data analysis in qualitative research. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2018;52:e03353. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1980-220X2017015003353

15. Sousa YSO. The Use of the Iramuteq Software: Fundamentals of Lexicometry for Qualitative Research. Est Pesqui Psicol [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 Oct 12];21(spe):1541-60. Available from: https://www.e-publicacoes.uerj.br/index.php/revispsi/article/view/64034/40275

16. Souza VR, Marziale MH, Silva GT, Nascimento PL. Translation and validation into Brazilian Portuguese and assessment of the COREQ checklist. Acta Paul Enferm. 2021;34:eAPE02631. https://doi.org/10.37689/acta-ape/2021ao02631

17. Farinhuk PS, Savaris LE, Franco RS. Mental disorder and psychic suffering: social representations of primary health care professionals. Res Soc Dev. 2021;10(3):e24010313267. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i3.13267

18. Boaventura MA, Reis EA, Godinho IC, Oliveira LH Filho, Caixeta NC, Castro VE, et al. Most prevalent mental diseases in the context of primary care in Brazil: a literature review. Braz J Health Rev. 2021;4(5):19959-73. https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv4n5-121

19. Bradley KA, Bobb JF, Ludman EJ, Chavez LJ, Saxon AJ, Merril JO, et al. Alcohol-related nurse care management in primary care: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2018;26:e1-e9. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.0388

20. Fernandes ADSA, Tãno BL, Cid MFB, Matsukura TS. Infantile-juvenile mental health in the ABS: from conception to perspectives for care. Cad Bras Ter Ocup. 2022;30:e3102. https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.ctoAO23473102

21. Rocha LF. Social Representations Theory: the breaking of paradigms of the classic trends of the psychological theories. Psicol Ciênc Prof. 2014;34(1):46-65. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1414-98932014000100005

22. Stene-Larsen K, Reneflot A. Contact with primary and mental health care prior to suicide: a systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2017. Scand J Public Health. 2019;47:9-17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494817746274

23. Sanches LC, Moliani MM, Santos CRSA, Schwyzer I. Work-related social representations of healthcare workers during the covid19 pandemic. Plural. 2022;29(2):14-29. https://www.doi.org/10.11606/issn.2176-8099.pcso.2022.201265

24. Silva JF, Matsukura TS, Ferigato SH, Cid MFB. Adolescence and mental health from the perspective of Primary Healthcare professionals. Interface (Botucatu). 2019;23:e180630. https://doi.org/10.1590/Interface.180630

25. Girard A, Ellefsen E, Roberge P, Bernard-Hamel J, Hudon C. Adoption of care management activities by primary care nurses for people with common mental disorders and physical conditions: a multiple case study. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2021;28(5):838-55. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12788

26. Frazatto CF, Fernandes JC. Practices of CAPS I and the challenge of deinstitutionalization. Psicol Rev (São Paulo). 2021;30(1):54-75. https://doi.org/10.23925/2594-3871.2021v30i1p54-75

27. Vale TRF, Faria MLVC, Severo AKS, Pinto TR. NASF-AB teams in a risk scenario for primary care. Temas Educ Saude. 2022;18:e022004. https://doi.org/10.26673/tes.v18i00.15554

28. Almeida DL, Alvim RG, Cota ALS, Pereira TS. Knowledge in mental health: practice of family health strategy professionals. Interfaces Cient. 2022;9(3):27-42. https://doi.org/10.17564/2316-3801.2022v9n3p27-42

29. Shahif S, Idris DR, Lupat A, Rahman HA. Knowledge and attitude towards mental illness among primary healthcare nurses in Brunei: a cross-sectional study. Asian J Psychiatr. 2019;45:33-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2019.08.013

30. Cardoso LCB, Marcon SS, Rodrigues TFCS, Paiano M, Peruzzo HE, Giacon-Arruda BCC, et al. Mental health assistance in Primary Care: the perspective of professionals from the family health strategy. Rev Bras Enferm. 2022;75(Suppl 3):e20190326. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0326

Published

2026-02-20

How to Cite

Araújo Feitosa, C. D., Mendes, P. N., Galindo Neto, N. M., Carvalho e Silva Sales, J., Pillon, S. C., & Astrês Fernandes, M. (2026). Experiences of Primary Care nurses regarding mental disorders. SMAD Revista Eletrônica Saúde Mental Álcool E Drogas (Edição Em Português), 21, e-231415. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1806-6976.smad.2025.231415