A survey about quality of care and user’s rights in Chilean psychiatric services Respeto a los derechos de las personas que se atienden en Servicios de Psiquiatría Ambulatoria en Chile

Abstract

© 2015, Sociedad Medica de Santiago. All rights reserved.Background: Quality of care and respect for the rights of users are critical to achieve positive health outcomes and respond appropriately to the expectations of people, particularly if they have mental illnesses. Aim: To carry out a baseline diagnosis of quality of care and respect for rights in public outpatient psychiatric services. Material and Methods: Quality of care and respect for patients’ rights was assessed by a mental health professional and a trained psychiatric service user in 15 ambulatory psychiatric services. The WHO QualityRights instrument was used, reviewing documentation and making observations in each facility, as well as interviewing 146 patients, 148 health care workers and 64 relatives of patients. Results: A high level of achievement was accomplished in terms of discrimination- free health care, availability of psychotropic medications, lack of abuse or neglect and use of informed consents. A low level o