Lacking a Primary Care Physician Is Associated With Increased Suffering in Patients With Severe Mental Illness.

Lacking a Primary Care Physician Is Associated With Increased Suffering in Patients With Severe Mental Illness.

Olsen Cynthia G; Boltri John M; Amerine Jenna; Clasen Mark E

The journal of primary prevention

2017

2017-12

We evaluated the relationship between lack of a primary care physician (PCP) and patients with severe mental illness (SMI), who have poorer health and experience more suffering. Using a blinded retrospective record review of 137 patients with SMI, divided between inpatients (n = 70) and outpatients (n = 67), we compared the two groups to determine if lack of a PCP is associated with increased suffering and worse overall health. We included history of preventive services, having a PCP, and comorbid conditions. Multiple linear regressions determined the relationship between lacking a PCP and lifestyle problems, lack of preventive care, and Burden of Suffering. We found that in SMI patients, lack of a PCP is associated with increased lifestyle problems, lacking preventive care, increased Burden of Suffering and cervical dysplasia. Health policy changes are needed to improve outcomes for patients with SMI by increasing access to PCPs and preventive services.

*Health Services Accessibility; *Primary Health Care; Adolescence; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Community; Comorbid conditions; Cost of Illness; Economic Aspects of Illness; Female; Health outcomes; Health Services Accessibility; Hospitalization; Hospitals; Humans; Life Style; Lifestyle problems; Male; Mental Disorders – Complications; Mental Disorders – Psychosocial Factors; Mental Disorders – Therapy; Mental Disorders/complications/*psychology/*therapy; Middle Age; Middle Aged; Preventative services; Primary Health Care; Psychological – Etiology; Psychological – Psychosocial Factors; Psychological/etiology/*psychology; Retrospective Design; Retrospective Studies; Stress; Young Adult

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