Abstract
We evaluated the relationship between lack of a primary care physician (PCP) and patients with severe mental illness (SMI), who have poorer health and experience more suffering. Using a blinded retrospective record review of 137 patients with SMI, divided between inpatients (n = 70) and outpatients (n = 67), we compared the two groups to determine if lack of a PCP is associated with increased suffering and worse overall health. We included history of preventive services, having a PCP, and comorbid conditions. Multiple linear regressions determined the relationship between lacking a PCP and lifestyle problems, lack of preventive care, and Burden of Suffering. We found that in SMI patients, lack of a PCP is associated with increased lifestyle problems, lacking preventive care, increased Burden of Suffering and cervical dysplasia. Health policy changes are needed to improve outcomes for patients with SMI by increasing access to PCPs and preventive services.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported in part by NIH Grant # T35HL007805-12 awarded to Cynthia G. Olsen MD.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
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Mark E. Clasen—deceased.
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Olsen, C.G., Boltri, J.M., Amerine, J. et al. Lacking a Primary Care Physician Is Associated With Increased Suffering in Patients With Severe Mental Illness. J Primary Prevent 38, 583–596 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-017-0490-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-017-0490-7