Revisitando o hospital psiquiátrico: uma análise dos atendimentos e internações realizados nos hospitais psiquiátricos públicos de Belo Horizonte de 2002 a 2011

Abstract

Objective: Describe the evolution over time of the care provided in public psychiatric hospitals in Belo Horizonte from 2002 to 2011, analyzing changes in the characteristics of services provided and patient profiles. Methodology: Analysis of temporal series, between 2002 and 2011, using linear regressions – and quadratic when significant – where the response variable was the total annual number of visits and types or the proportion of visits for patient’s diagnosis or origin, and the predictor variable was time. Results: During the study period, a significant decrease in the total number of emergency visits was observed, although there has been a significant increase in the number of admissions. Patients from Belo Horizonte were more predominant, however a significant increase in health demands by the population of the metropolitan area was observed. Although psychotic disorders were more prevalent overall, there has been a gradual decline relative to patients with disorders due to use of alcohol and/or other drugs, which were the more prevalent in 2011. Conclusion: The alteration observed in the profile of treatment in public psychiatric hospitals in Belo Horizonte was concomitant with the progressive institution of mental health community services that probably have supplied the demands previously directed to these hospitals. However, it was noticed that patients with a specific profile still make use of hospital assistance, even if for a short period of time.