Mental Health Care in São Paulo, Brazil: An Ethnographic Exploration of the Implementation of a Psychosocial Model of Care

Abstract

The Psychiatric Reform Law established in Brazil in 2001 marks the transition from institutionalization to a psychosocial mental health care network. The present study investigates the outcomes of implementation of the psychosocial model of care in Brazil by examining how medical professionals employ a psychosocial approach in practice and how patients experience the model of care. An ethnographic exploration was conducted within the mental health sector of a primary health care facility in São Paulo, Brazil. Both medical professionals and patients were recruited as participants for this study. Findings show that a psychosocial model of care manifests itself through three pillars – "atendimento", "vinculu", and "acolhimento". Medical professionals and patients experience the pillars of psychosocial care differently, despite alignment in perceptions of high quality health care. This research highlights lived experiences of interacting with holistic care. Keywords: atendimento, vinculu, acolhimento, psychosocial model, ethnography