Strengthening the Delivery of Physical Healthcare for Adults Living With Serious Mental Illness – A Qualitative Description of Patient and Family Member Perspectives
ABSTRACT Background Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) have higher rates of comorbid physical health conditions, poorer associated health outcomes, and die on average 10–20 years earlier than the general population. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Health Expectations |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70224 |
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| author | Munazzah Ambreen Christopher Canning Brian Lo Sri Mahavir Agarwal David Castle Barna Konkolÿ‐Thege Frank Sirotich Sanjeev Sockalingam Tania Tajirian Philip G. Tibbo Mary Rose vanKesteren Caroline Walker Vicky Stergiopoulos |
| author_facet | Munazzah Ambreen Christopher Canning Brian Lo Sri Mahavir Agarwal David Castle Barna Konkolÿ‐Thege Frank Sirotich Sanjeev Sockalingam Tania Tajirian Philip G. Tibbo Mary Rose vanKesteren Caroline Walker Vicky Stergiopoulos |
| author_sort | Munazzah Ambreen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Background Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) have higher rates of comorbid physical health conditions, poorer associated health outcomes, and die on average 10–20 years earlier than the general population. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of adults living with SMI and family members with accessing physical healthcare within primary and mental health settings in Canada. Methods We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using semi‐structured interviews with 20 adults living with SMI and five focus groups with 18 family members between July 2023 and April 2024. After coding by two authors, thematic analysis was completed with the support of a data analysis team to identify overarching themes capturing participant experiences with accessing physical healthcare, care needs and preferences. Results Four main themes emerged from participant narratives: (1) The centrality of mental health problems in the lives of people with SMI; (2) Challenges in accessing physical healthcare; (3) The role of families in supporting access to care; (4) Perceived health priorities and preferences. There was a high degree of congruence between the perspectives of individuals living with SMI and family members. Both participant groups described challenges accessing primary care settings, fragmented health services, and a desire for person‐centred, whole‐person health within mental health settings, with family member support where available. Conclusions Findings from this study highlight the need for advancing the integration of physical healthcare within mental health settings for adults living with SMI, who are less likely to engage with community‐based primary care services. Enhanced access to physical healthcare could leverage multidisciplinary resources in these settings and partnerships with families. These findings can inform efforts to provide whole‐person healthcare for individuals experiencing SMI. Patient or Public Contribution The study team collaborated closely with community organizations and individuals with lived experience at every stage of this research. This included contributions to the funding proposal, the study protocol, participant recruitment, study materials, data analysis and preparing the manuscript. Individuals with lived experience and family members actively participated in management and project meetings for the duration of the study. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2ed14c6ef070452d820164e686144375 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1369-6513 1369-7625 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Expectations |
| spelling | doaj-art-2ed14c6ef070452d820164e6861443752025-08-20T03:53:57ZengWileyHealth Expectations1369-65131369-76252025-04-01282n/an/a10.1111/hex.70224Strengthening the Delivery of Physical Healthcare for Adults Living With Serious Mental Illness – A Qualitative Description of Patient and Family Member PerspectivesMunazzah Ambreen0Christopher Canning1Brian Lo2Sri Mahavir Agarwal3David Castle4Barna Konkolÿ‐Thege5Frank Sirotich6Sanjeev Sockalingam7Tania Tajirian8Philip G. Tibbo9Mary Rose vanKesteren10Caroline Walker11Vicky Stergiopoulos12Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto Ontario CanadaWaypoint Research Institute, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene Ontario CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto Ontario CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto Ontario CanadaSchool of Medicine University of Tasmania Hobart AustraliaWaypoint Research Institute, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene Ontario CanadaCanadian Mental Health Association Toronto Branch Toronto Ontario CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto Ontario CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto Ontario CanadaDepartment of Psychology and Neuroscience Dalhousie University Halifax Nova Scotia CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto Ontario CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto Ontario CanadaCentre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto Ontario CanadaABSTRACT Background Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) have higher rates of comorbid physical health conditions, poorer associated health outcomes, and die on average 10–20 years earlier than the general population. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of adults living with SMI and family members with accessing physical healthcare within primary and mental health settings in Canada. Methods We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using semi‐structured interviews with 20 adults living with SMI and five focus groups with 18 family members between July 2023 and April 2024. After coding by two authors, thematic analysis was completed with the support of a data analysis team to identify overarching themes capturing participant experiences with accessing physical healthcare, care needs and preferences. Results Four main themes emerged from participant narratives: (1) The centrality of mental health problems in the lives of people with SMI; (2) Challenges in accessing physical healthcare; (3) The role of families in supporting access to care; (4) Perceived health priorities and preferences. There was a high degree of congruence between the perspectives of individuals living with SMI and family members. Both participant groups described challenges accessing primary care settings, fragmented health services, and a desire for person‐centred, whole‐person health within mental health settings, with family member support where available. Conclusions Findings from this study highlight the need for advancing the integration of physical healthcare within mental health settings for adults living with SMI, who are less likely to engage with community‐based primary care services. Enhanced access to physical healthcare could leverage multidisciplinary resources in these settings and partnerships with families. These findings can inform efforts to provide whole‐person healthcare for individuals experiencing SMI. Patient or Public Contribution The study team collaborated closely with community organizations and individuals with lived experience at every stage of this research. This included contributions to the funding proposal, the study protocol, participant recruitment, study materials, data analysis and preparing the manuscript. Individuals with lived experience and family members actively participated in management and project meetings for the duration of the study.https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70224integrated carequalitative designreverse integrationserious mental illnessservice user perspective |
| spellingShingle | Munazzah Ambreen Christopher Canning Brian Lo Sri Mahavir Agarwal David Castle Barna Konkolÿ‐Thege Frank Sirotich Sanjeev Sockalingam Tania Tajirian Philip G. Tibbo Mary Rose vanKesteren Caroline Walker Vicky Stergiopoulos Strengthening the Delivery of Physical Healthcare for Adults Living With Serious Mental Illness – A Qualitative Description of Patient and Family Member Perspectives Health Expectations integrated care qualitative design reverse integration serious mental illness service user perspective |
| title | Strengthening the Delivery of Physical Healthcare for Adults Living With Serious Mental Illness – A Qualitative Description of Patient and Family Member Perspectives |
| title_full | Strengthening the Delivery of Physical Healthcare for Adults Living With Serious Mental Illness – A Qualitative Description of Patient and Family Member Perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Strengthening the Delivery of Physical Healthcare for Adults Living With Serious Mental Illness – A Qualitative Description of Patient and Family Member Perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strengthening the Delivery of Physical Healthcare for Adults Living With Serious Mental Illness – A Qualitative Description of Patient and Family Member Perspectives |
| title_short | Strengthening the Delivery of Physical Healthcare for Adults Living With Serious Mental Illness – A Qualitative Description of Patient and Family Member Perspectives |
| title_sort | strengthening the delivery of physical healthcare for adults living with serious mental illness a qualitative description of patient and family member perspectives |
| topic | integrated care qualitative design reverse integration serious mental illness service user perspective |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70224 |
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