Sarah Young|Anna Praskova|Nicky Hayward|Sue Patterson
Attending to physical health in mental health services in Australia: a qualitative study of service users’ experiences and expectations
Metro South Health|Metro South Health|Griffith University|Metro South Health|Griffith University
evidence unequivocal premature death people severe mental health problems attributable primarily cardiovascular disease healthcare provided often suboptimal overarching aim improving outcomes policies guidelines oblige mental health services psychiatrists monitor cardiometabolic health patients intervene appropriate practice highly variable however ongoing debate resourcing responsibilities dominated clinicians identified disinterest among patients influencing practice seeking balance discussion posed question patients experience expect mental health services relation physical health answer interviewed convenience sample 40 service users recruited mental health service australia early 2015 data analysed using framework approach regarding healthy participants commonly concerned side effects medication weight fitness rarely mentioned tobacco smoking participants accounts reinforce extensive research demonstrating variability attention physical health mental health services reports participants comprehensive care encouraging widespread uncertainty reasons various assessments denial requests management medication side effects including weight gain gives cause concern although participants study wanted improve health healthrelated quality life acknowledged motivation ability fluctuated mental health expected clinicians work proactively especially symptoms compromised capacity selfcare mental health services provide enable access healthpromoting interventions attention given matter priority creating conditions culture infrastructure needed support sustained attention physical health within services importantly full engagement service users management physical health