Abstract
Mental and psychiatric illnesses are major health problems and the trend is increasing.
Most seekers of health care still lack adequate treatment, and preventive and rehabilitative
coverage. Thus, health personnel working in primary care units (PCUs) are persons
who are able to provide complete services in better caring for their clients.
The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess the standard practice of mental
health and psychiatric services in various PCUs in Phichit Province. The survey samples were colleagues who authorized mental health and psychiatric services at 51 PCUs in
Phichit Province. Data were collected from September to November 2007. The instruments
consisted of questionnaires for the standard practice of mental health and psychiatric
services from the Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health (2005).
The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and content analysis. The findings of the
study revealed that 66.27 percent of the overall PCU analysis was fairly satisfactory.
Independent PCU analysis found that 17 PCUs (33.3%) were dissatisfied, 14 PCUs (27.5%)
were fairly satisfied, 13 PCUs (25.5%) were satisfied and 7 PCUs (13.7%) were very satisfied.
However, this study found that important limitations to mental health and psychiatric
services that followed standard practices were the patients’ lack of knowledge and
understanding about mental health and psychiatric services, a lack of specialists in mental
health and psychiatric services and continued development of specialists; these shortcomings
must be resolved. Other limitations were an inadequate support system and
insufficiency of mental health reports. This article suggests that the strategy and policy
planning for the mental health and psychiatric services for the primary care unit (PCU) in
Phichit Province need improvement.
