Mental health providers are increasingly coming into contact with large and growing multi-racial/ethnic and immigrant patient populations in the United States. Knowledge of patient perspectives on what constitutes quality mental health care is necessary for these providers. The aim of this study was to identify indicators of quality of mental health care that matter most to two underrepresented immigrant patient groups of Portuguese background: Brazilians and Cape Verdeans. A qualitative design was adopted using focus group discussions. Six focus groups of patients (n24 Brazilians; n24 Cape Verdeans) who received outpatient mental health treatment through public safety net clinics in the northeast region of the United States were conducted. The Consensual Qualitative Research analytic method allowed us to identify three quality of care domains: provider performance, aspects of mental health care environment, and effectiveness of mental health care treatment. Provider performance was associated with five categories: relational, communication, linguistic, cultural, and technical competencies. Aspects of mental health care environment were linked to two categories: psychosocial and physical environment. Effectiveness of mental health care treatment was related to two categories: therapeutic relationship and treatment outcomes. Study findings provide useful data for the development of more culturally appropriate and effective patient-centered models and policies in mental health care. ©2014 M. De Jesus T. R. Earl.

Quality of care Mental health patient-centered care Patient perspectives Cape Verdean Brazilian

information processing patient care mental health service psychological aspect methodology Outpatients Cape Verde mental health human middle aged statistics Ethnic Groups ethnic group Brazilian outpatient Cultural Competency Patient-Centered Care ethnology New England Mental Health Services qualitative research Mental Disorders cultural competence mental disease United States Humans migrant Treatment Outcome male Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire patient satisfaction Article Questionnaires adult health care quality Quality of Health Care standard Brazil Focus Groups Patient perspectives Cape Verdean Quality Of Care