Research in lower middle income countries – recommendations for a national mental health research agenda in South Africa

Abstract

In the current mental health environment in South Africa, the development of a relevant mental health research agenda poses several challenges. This paper provides a brief overview of the current state of published research in mental health and, using a translation research framework, makes recommendations for five strategic directions to be considered in the development of a national mental health research agenda.

Professional quality of life amongst nurses in psychiatric observation units

“…A second factor which may contribute to differences in burnout in the nurse categories may be because of differences in professional educational preparation in these categories. A lack of formal psychiatric education and training has been identified as a predisposition to emotional and physical exhaustion, 36 which can lead to secondary traumatic stress and/or burnout. In contrast, a study in Greece reported higher secondary traumatic stress amongst nurse assistants than registered nurses which they attributed to nurse assistants having more direct contact with MHCUs and less psychiatric training.…”