Quality of care in two psychosocial care centers from the perspective of users

Abstract

This research aims to understand the experiences of users in two Psychosocial Care Centers located in the city of Fortaleza, State of Ceará, Brazil, regarding the quality of care provided by professionals. The techniques used to obtain the empirical data were unstructured interview and systematic observation, using a qualitative methodology. Data were analyzed and interpreted from the perspective of Gadamer's critical hermeneutics. The results showed three analytical dimensions of the theme Quality of Care: a) formal aspects of care; b) humanization and welcoming; and c) comprehensive and extended clinic. According to users, the welcoming process, the ambience, a good interaction between professionals and users, the monitoring of medicines and humanization are the main aspects related to the quality of mental health care. We conclude that, despite some obstacles, the aspects of care pointed by users of the two Psychosocial Care Centers corroborate the ideals of the Psychiatric Reform and show that the reorientation of the mental health care model is already present in the daily care practices.