Mental health consumer experiences and strategies when seeking physical health care: a focus group study

Ewart, Stephanie B., Bocking, Julia, Happell, Brenda, Platania-Phung, Chris, and Stanton, Robert (2016) Mental health consumer experiences and strategies when seeking physical health care: a focus group study. Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 3.

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Abstract

People with mental illness have higher rates of physical health problems and consequently live significantly shorter lives. This issue is not yet viewed as a national health priority and research about mental health consumer views on accessing physical health care is lacking. The aim of this study is to explore the experience of mental health consumers in utilizing health services for physical health needs. Qualitative exploratory design was utilized. Semistructured focus groups were held with 31 consumer participants. Thematic analysis revealed that three main themes emerged: scarcity of physical health care, with problems accessing diagnosis, advice or treatment for physical health problems; disempowerment due to scarcity of physical health care; and tenuous empowerment describing survival resistance strategies utilized. Mental health consumers were concerned about physical health and the nonresponsive health system. A specialist physical health nurse consultant within mental health services should potentially redress this gap in health care provision.

Item ID: 62158
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2333-3936
Keywords: consumer participation, health care access, mental health nursing, mental health services, physical health, stigma
Copyright Information: © The Author(s) 2016.
Date Deposited: 14 Sep 2020 19:13
FoR Codes: 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420311 Health systems @ 50%
42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420319 Primary health care @ 50%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920410 Mental Health @ 100%
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