Access to general practice for preventive health care for people who experience severe mental illness in Sydney, Australia: a qualitative study.

Spooner, C; O'Shea, P; Fisher, KR; Harris-Roxas, B; Taggart, J; Bolton, P; Harris, MF

Access to general practice for preventive health care for people who experience severe mental illness in Sydney, Australia: a qualitative study.

Spooner, C O'Shea, P Fisher, KR Harris-Roxas, B

Taggart, J Bolton, P Harris, MF

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Publisher:: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Aust J Prim Health, 2024, 30, (1)
Issue Date:: 2024-01-04

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Spooner, C
dc.contributor.author	O'Shea, P
dc.contributor.author	Fisher, KR
dc.contributor.author	Harris-Roxas, B https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1716-2009
dc.contributor.author	Taggart, J
dc.contributor.author	Bolton, P
dc.contributor.author	Harris, MF
dc.date.accessioned	2024-10-04T04:52:16Z
dc.date.available	2023-12-03
dc.date.available	2024-10-04T04:52:16Z
dc.date.issued	2024-01-04
dc.identifier.citation	Aust J Prim Health, 2024, 30, (1)
dc.identifier.issn	1448-7527
dc.identifier.issn	1836-7399
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/181191
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND: People with lived experience of severe mental illness (PWLE) live around 20years less than the general population. Most deaths are due to preventable health conditions. Improved access to high-quality preventive health care could help reduce this health inequity. This study aimed to answer the question: What helps PWLE access preventive care from their GP to prevent long-term physical conditions? METHODS: Qualitative interviews (n=10) and a focus group (n=10 participants) were conducted with PWLE who accessed a community mental health service and their carers (n=5). An asset-based framework was used to explore what helps participants access and engage with a GP. A conceptual framework of access to care guided data collection and analysis. Member checking was conducted with PWLE, service providers and other stakeholders. A lived experience researcher was involved in all stages of the study. RESULTS: PWLE and their carers identified multiple challenges to accessing high-quality preventive care, including the impacts of their mental illness, cognitive capacity, experiences of discrimination and low income. Some GPs facilitated access and communication. Key facilitators to access were support people and affordable preventive care. CONCLUSION: GPs can play an important role in facilitating access and communication with PWLE but need support to do so, particularly in the context of current demands in the Australian health system. Support workers, carers and mental health services are key assets in supporting PWLE and facilitating communication between PWLE and GPs. GP capacity building and system changes are needed to strengthen primary care's responsiveness to PWLE and ability to engage in collaborative/shared care.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	CSIRO PUBLISHING
dc.relation.ispartof	Aust J Prim Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1071/PY23195
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences, 16 Studies in Human Society, 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Public Health
dc.subject.classification	32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	42 Health sciences
dc.subject.classification	52 Psychology
dc.title	Access to general practice for preventive health care for people who experience severe mental illness in Sydney, Australia: a qualitative study.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	30
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
utslib.for	16 Studies in Human Society
utslib.for	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/School of Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2024-10-04T04:52:14Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	30
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: People with lived experience of severe mental illness (PWLE) live around 20years less than the general population. Most deaths are due to preventable health conditions. Improved access to high-quality preventive health care could help reduce this health inequity. This study aimed to answer the question: What helps PWLE access preventive care from their GP to prevent long-term physical conditions? METHODS: Qualitative interviews (n=10) and a focus group (n=10 participants) were conducted with PWLE who accessed a community mental health service and their carers (n=5). An asset-based framework was used to explore what helps participants access and engage with a GP. A conceptual framework of access to care guided data collection and analysis. Member checking was conducted with PWLE, service providers and other stakeholders. A lived experience researcher was involved in all stages of the study. RESULTS: PWLE and their carers identified multiple challenges to accessing high-quality preventive care, including the impacts of their mental illness, cognitive capacity, experiences of discrimination and low income. Some GPs facilitated access and communication. Key facilitators to access were support people and affordable preventive care. CONCLUSION: GPs can play an important role in facilitating access and communication with PWLE but need support to do so, particularly in the context of current demands in the Australian health system. Support workers, carers and mental health services are key assets in supporting PWLE and facilitating communication between PWLE and GPs. GP capacity building and system changes are needed to strengthen primary care's responsiveness to PWLE and ability to engage in collaborative/shared care.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/181191