Mental health devices and public policies: Proposal of an instrument to evaluate the implementation of the Psychosocial Care Centers

Abstract

With the objective of developing tools to evaluate the effectiveness of the process of conducting Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS), this research was based on qualitative and quantitative research methods. In addition, the perspective related to the hybrid model of public policy analysis was considered in order to embrace the complexity inherent in the field of mental health. Initially, a mapping of the laws and guidelines that guided the implementation of CAPS was carried out. Subsequently, a documentary analysis of the medical records of these services was performed. Finally, two focus groups were conducted from the data obtained. The results of the application of the instruments developed to evaluate the Psychosocial Care Centers made it possible to produce evidence of validity as well as a general analysis of these devices. They pointed out that services are possibly not being implemented effectively. Differently from other effectiveness indicators, the proposed instruments made possible the use of indicators that compose a range of perspectives that can contribute to the evaluation of the implementation of Psychosocial Care Centers in the country.