Capacity building of primary healthcare providers in Rajasthan, India, for screening and management of common mental health disorders: a study protocol

Background Mental disorders impose significant social and financial burdens on individuals, families, and societies, affecting one in seven Indians. Deficient manpower and inadequate training at the graduate level are recognized as poor mental healthcare in India. Objectives The study aims to build the capacity of primary healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses and other peripheral health workers in Rajasthan, India. The feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of capacity-building training and other activities will be assessed. Methods The study will be conducted in four phases: (i) situational analysis, (ii) adaptations of the module and material development and training, (iii) training implementation in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan, and (iv) post-assessment. Initially piloted in the Nagaur district, it will scale up to other districts. Formative research will be conducted with a quasi-experimental pre-post-test design. Existing training modules for Medical Officers, Community Health Officers, General Nurse Midwives, and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, developed under the Ayushman Bharat Training Manual on Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders Care, will be adapted. Pre- and post-assessment using structured, validated questionnaires will measure the training’s impact. Quantitative and qualitative data collected at various stages will evaluate capacity-building activities’ feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness. Expected outcomes Doctors are expected to screen and manage common mental health disorders post-training competently. Healthcare providers will be equipped to utilize standardized tools for screening common mental health conditions within primary care settings. This training will enhance the confidence and proficiency of all primary healthcare providers in screening and managing prevalent mental health disorders at the primary care level.