Mental health practitioners' reflections on psychological work in Uganda: exploring perspectives from different professions

Abstract

The Butabika-East London Link collaborated with Ugandan mental health services to train mental health professionals (psychiatric clinical officers, ‘PCOs’, and clinical psychologists and psychiatrists, ‘Core Group’) in psychological therapies. The aims of this research were to investigate how professionals were applying and adapting psychological therapies to the Ugandan setting and to gain ideas to inform future training. Focus groups were used to explore the PCO's (N = 13) and Core Group's (N = 8) thoughts. Recordings were transcribed and thematically analysed. Themes identified were: issues affecting psychological therapy provision; cultural adaptations; voices of service users; and training. Different professional groups share similar concerns about implementing psychological therapies in a country where psychological services are just emerging. Future directions are suggested.