MANAGEMENT OF MEDICATIONS, REASON FOR HOSPITALIZATION, AND ABILITY TO SEEK HELP DURING PSYCHIATRIC CRISES

A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN AN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction: Law 10,216/2001 establishes psychiatric reform in Brazil and restricts psychiatric hospitalization, aiming to guarantee the rights of people with mental disorders. Strengthening autonomy is essential to influence treatment adherence and reduce readmissions. Objective: To identify knowledge regarding the reason for psychiatric hospitalization and the degree of autonomy regarding medication management and the ability to ask for help in a crisis situation, in patients admitted to a university hospital. Method: This is a cross-sectional study, carried out in a psychiatric hospitalization of a general university hospital in a capital in the south of the country. The sample consisted of patients who were admitted to the psychiatric unit through the Unified Health System from August to December 2021. Patients in readmissions and hospitalizations lasting less than 24 hours were excluded. A questionnaire was applied in an interview format, with questions about sociodemographic characteristics and the Psychosocial Assessment Scale. The responses were analyzed in the Statistical Package for Social Science for Windows (SPSS), using descriptive statistics. Results: 91 patients participated in the study. Although around 90% of patients verbalize that they understand the reason for their hospitalization, 28.6% do not know who to turn to when they need help and 31.9% do not know how to name the drugs they were prescribed. Almost half of the sample declared that they needed help (18%) or completely depended on third parties (27%) to manage their medication treatment. Conclusion: The study findings point to assistance characterized by the health team assuming the role of protagonist of care and holder of knowledge, and leaving the individual with a mental disorder in a passive role, as a recipient of care. It is suggested the implementation of strategies aimed at developing autonomy and critical and active participation of the individual in their treatment and care.