Psychiatric patients' experience in receiving services provided by non-specialist community nurses, southern Thailand.

Background: Psychiatric problems have been a growing and significant public health challenge. Community-based psychiatric services have been shown to contribute to the improvement of health and social-related outcomes, but with limited specialists in this field. Consequently, Thailand has integrated these services into the primary care system delivered by community nurses working in primary care units (PCUs).

Aim: To describe the experiences of psychiatric patients in receiving services provided by non-specialist community nurses.

Method: A phenomenological approach was used. Eleven psychiatric patients with 10 major depressive disorders and 1 with schizophrenia were interviewed. The results were evaluated using thematic content analysis.

Results: The results revealed two main themes as barriers and facilitators experienced in receiving services from community nurses.

Conclusion: Community-based services should be concerned about developing psychiatric nursing competency for community nurses to extend basic services to patients in communities and to assist family members.