Physical Health Monitoring for Diverse Populations with Serious Mental Illness: Opportunity to Fill Gaps in Care-Presentation Slides

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This document summarizes the findings and implications of a study on physical health monitoring for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) in California's public mental health system. The study found that individuals with SMI have a higher burden of physical health diseases and die 25-30 years earlier than the general population. Despite guidelines for metabolic screening, only 30% of people with SMI were screened for diabetes. The study also found low rates of HIV testing, Hepatitis C testing, cervical cancer screening, and breast cancer screening among individuals with SMI. <br /><br />The findings have several implications at different levels. On an individual clinician level, it is recommended to add screening for medical problems to every patient's problem list and focus on young adults for prevention. Treatments for metabolic abnormalities should be initiated, and education on these topics is available on SMI Adviser. <br /><br />At the clinic level, strategies such as health screening months, on-site phlebotomy, on-site care managers, and women's health services can be implemented to improve screening rates. <br /><br />At the system level, co-located FQHC satellite clinics, medical case managers in CMHCs, operationalizing system-level cancer screening, and high-risk primary care clinics are suggested approaches to improve care for individuals with SMI. <br /><br />Overall, the study highlights the need for improved physical health monitoring and care for individuals with SMI and suggests strategies at the individual, clinic, and system level to address the gaps in care.

Keywords

physical health monitoring

serious mental illness

California public mental health system

metabolic screening

HIV testing

Hepatitis C testing

cervical cancer screening

breast cancer screening

health screening strategies

improved care for individuals with SMI