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Physical Healthcare, Health-Related Quality of Life and Global Functioning of Persons with a Severe Mental Illness in Belgian Long-Term Mental Health Assertive Outreach Teams: A Cross-Sectional Self-Reported Survey

Author

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  • Nicolaas Martens

    (Multiversum Psychiatric Hospital, Brothers of Charity Belgium, 2530 Boechout, Belgium
    Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatry Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
    Department of Nursing, Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Marianne Destoop

    (Multiversum Psychiatric Hospital, Brothers of Charity Belgium, 2530 Boechout, Belgium
    Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatry Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Geert Dom

    (Multiversum Psychiatric Hospital, Brothers of Charity Belgium, 2530 Boechout, Belgium
    Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatry Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium)

Abstract

Research shows that care delivery regarding somatic health problems for patients with a severe mental illness (SMI) in community and mental health is difficult to establish. During the last decade, long term mental health outreach teams in Belgium were implemented to provide treatment and follow-up at home. This study aimed to map physical health status, care professionals, health related quality of life and global functioning in persons with SMI in Belgian long term outreach teams for mental health. Using a self-administered questionnaire, 173 persons, 58.1% female with a mean age of 48.3, were questioned. Our findings suggest an undertreatment of somatic comorbid conditions, with only half of physical health complaints being addressed. Although treatment rates for hypertension, when detected were high, treatment of respiratory complaints, pain and fatigue was lacking. Although the majority of respondents responded to have a GP or psychiatrist, contact rates were rather limited. Other disciplines, such as primary care nurses, when present, tend to have more contact with people with SMI. Notably, having regular contacts with GPs seems to improve physical health complaints and/or treatment. Being treated by an outreach team did not show significant correlations with physical health complaints and/or treatment suggesting a more proactive approach by outreach teams or primary care providers is desirable.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolaas Martens & Marianne Destoop & Geert Dom, 2022. "Physical Healthcare, Health-Related Quality of Life and Global Functioning of Persons with a Severe Mental Illness in Belgian Long-Term Mental Health Assertive Outreach Teams: A Cross-Sectional Self-R," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5522-:d:807354
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. François Wyngaerden & Marie Tempels & Jean-Louis Feys & Vincent Dubois & Vincent Lorant, 2020. "The personal social network of psychiatric service users," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(7), pages 682-692, November.
    2. Nicolaas Martens & Marianne Destoop & Geert Dom, 2021. "Organization of Community Mental Health Services for Persons with a Severe Mental Illness and Comorbid Somatic Conditions: A Systematic Review on Somatic Outcomes and Health Related Quality of Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Sheila Hardy & Philippa Hinks & Richard Gray, 2014. "Does training practice nurses to carry out physical health checks for people with severe mental illness increase the level of screening for cardiovascular risk?," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(3), pages 236-242, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicolaas Martens & Eline De Haeck & Evelyn Van De Vondel & Marianne Destoop & Kirsten Catthoor & Geert Dom & Kris Van Den Broeck, 2023. "Physical Healthcare for People with a Severe Mental Illness in Belgium by Long-Term Community Mental Health Outreach Teams: A Qualitative Descriptive Study on Physicians’, Community Mental Health Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, January.

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