Health Workers Perceptions of Quality in Mental Healthcare at District Hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background: Mental healthcare has emerged as a major public health issue in the aftermath of COVID-19 worldwide due to global health system challenges which hinder effective healthcare. In this, there is a knowledge gap on research exploring the perceived quality of mental healthcare amongst hospital-based health workers with a particular focus on knowledge and practice, organization and system, and job satisfaction factors for an insight towards strengthening ongoing effort for the realization of the universal health coverage goal of the comprehensive global mental health action plans. The aim of this study was to assess health workers’ perceptions of quality in mental healthcare at three district hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional research design was used on a stratified random sample of 160 health workers recruited as participants at the three selected hospitals in Johannesburg. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and then subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using SPSS Version 29. Results: It was established that healthcare workers’ at the three district hospitals in Johannesburg were generally familiar with mental health guidelines and mental disorders which resulted in better patient engagement and prioritisation of mental health as being important as physical health. However the majority of these healthcare workers perceived the quality of mental healthcare at the three hospitals was low. Further assessment however revealed that these perceptions may have emanated from organizational and system incapacity, and limited satisfaction with compensation and benefits, recognition for work done and limited training. Conclusions: Health worker perceptions of quality in mental healthcare help provide an insight into what health systems may need to address mental health service delivery. The study of the three hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa underscore the need to reinforce knowledge sharing through healthcare worker training, strengthen organisational and system capacity, provide adequate remuneration and benefits, and reinforce clear referral pathways and collaboration with specialists for the realisation of quality improvement and sustenance in pursuing the universal health coverage goal of the WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plans and the Sustainable development Agenda on health of 2030 and beyond.