Non-pharmacological interventions are considered increasingly important in care for mental health problems (MHP). We explored the perceptions of primary care doctors and nurses working in the Norte de Florianópolis/SC health district regarding the use of auriculotherapy for MHP using a self-administered on-line qualitative and quantitative questionnaire. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Forty-four professionals (57 per cent of the total number invited to participate) responded the questionnaire. Fifty-seven per cent of the nurses who responded the questionnaire and 43 per cent of the doctors had training in auriculotherapy and 93 per cent used and/or recommended the technique for MHP. The respondents reported good clinical results from the use of auriculotherapy for common MHP, especially those related to symptoms of depression and anxiety, including insomnia and associate pain; as well as positive contributions with regard to welcoming, humanization, expansion of care and self-care, and a reduction in the use of psychotropics/medicalization. According to the participants, auriculotherapy is an effective and useful technique in care for common MHP in primary health care.
Keywords
Primary health care; Mental health; Auriculotherapy