Barriers to mental health care utilization among internally displaced persons in the republic of Georgia: a rapid appraisal study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3113-y
• Publication Date: 2018-04-30T07:31:52Z
• Authors: Adrianna Murphy; Ivdity Chikovani; Maia Uchaneishvili; Nino Makhashvili; Bayard Roberts
• Keywords: Health Services Research; Internally displaced person; Health administration

There is a paucity of evidence on access to services for mental health and psychosocial support conflict-affected populations in low- middle-income countries. In the Republic Georgia, rates utilization among internally displaced people with disorders are low. We set out identify system barriers leading this treatment gap. used rapid appraisal methods (collection triangulation multiple data sources) investigate accessing care adult IDPs Georgia. Data collection included review existing policy documents other published data, as well semi-structured interviews 29 key informants including makers, NGO staff, professionals patients. The following factors emerged important affecting Georgia: inadequate insurance coverage poor identification referral systems, underfunding, shortage human resources, information patient out-of-pocket payments stigmatization. While cannot control potential biases or achieve representativeness, supports internal validity reliability collected, allowing be inform interventions. appropriateness effectiveness interventions such wider range disorders, integration these at primary level, community-based approaches context should explored.