Educational Needs for Implementing Iran’s Comprehensive Mental and Social Health Services at the District Level

Behzad   Damari; Mohammad Hossein   Asgardoon; Vandad  Sharifi; Ahmad  Hajebi

doi:10.18502/ijps.v16i3.6254

Behzad Damari Department of Governance and Health, Neuroscience Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Hossein Asgardoon Department of Governance and Health, Neuroscience Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Vandad Sharifi Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ahmad Hajebi Research Center for Addiction and Risky Behaviors (ReCARB), Psychiatric Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v16i3.6254

Keywords: Delivery of Health Care; Education; Mental Health; Need Assessment

Abstract

Objective: A national program on providing comprehensive social and mental health services, entitled “SERAJ”, was developed and piloted in three districts of Iran. The present study aims to thoroughly explain the educational needs for implementing the provision of comprehensive mental and social health services in districts of Iran (SERAJ).

Method: In this study, we have interviewed service providers, held focused group discussions (FGDs) and used the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) model for analyzing the duties of the service providers.

Results: To implement SERAJ, Mental and Social Health Professionals and Healthcare professionals should be trained on various contents in the fields of mental health, social health, and addiction to provide ‎primary care services in Iran. Such training materials and schedules are necessary for providing secondary, and community action care ‎services as well.

Conclusion: The educational program resulting from this study should be piloted and after removing the barriers and solving the limitations, it should be expanded throughout the country.