“Characteristics of undergraduate and second speciality mental health programmes in Peru: a cross‑sectional study“
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Date
2023-03-01Author(s)
García‑Serna, Jackeline
Almeida‑Huanca, Guillermo
Huarcaya‑Victoria, Jef
Vilela‑Estrada, Ana Lucia
Zafra‑Tanaka, Jessica Hanae
Villarreal‑Zegarra, David
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“Background This study aims to describe the training ofered and the availability of professionals required by the
Ministry of Health for mental health problems management in the community.
Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on the training ofered in mental health in Peruvian universities. A
search for programs was conducted using the University Information System database and universities’ websites, as
well as using the Ministry of Health’s database on health personnel and data on the number of enrolled and current
students provided by the University Information System database and the Transparency section of the universities.
Results There were 214 undergraduate, 55 specialty and 7 subspecialty programmes, of which 39%, 47% and 100%,
respectively, were ofered in the capital city. The duration ranged from 5 to 7 years for undergraduate programs and
from 1 to 3 years for subspecialty and second specialty programs. The cost of undergraduate programs ranged from
free of charge up to USD 6863.75 for the frst semester of study. Second specialty programs ranged from 720 up to
11 986 USD and subspecialty programs ranged from 2267 up to 9138 USD, with medicine being the most expensive.
On the other hand, there are a greater number of psychology students (n=78 781) pursuing undergraduate studies
than working professionals (n=5368), while in the second specialty of psychiatry there are far fewer students pursu‑
ing the specialty (n=67) than working professionals (n=454).
Conclusions The problem of professional training in mental health requires that the institutions involved in health
and education develop policies to decentralize programs, communicate the demand for professionals in certain areas,
make them accessible to the low-income population, respond to mental health problems and guarantee their quality.
On the other hand, regarding the low number of mental health personnel working, it is suggested to increase the
mental health budget to generate more mental health services and employment.“
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