Physical illness in chronic psychiatric patients from a community psychiatric unit. The implications for daily practice.
The prevalence and significance of physical diseases, and health-care-seeking behaviour, were examined in a sample of 218 chronic psychiatric patients from an urban community psychiatric unit. Only 14% declined medical screening. Of the respondents, 53% had one or more probable or certain physical diseases warranting further medical attention. The majority of the diseases found were minor and typical of primary care problems. A severe (i.e. life-threatening) disease was present in 7% of respondents. Of the patients, 87% visited their GP at least once a year. The implications are that frequent consultation with primary care specialists and health-care-seeking behaviour should be noted, and included in any evaluation of the medical needs of chronic patients in community psychiatric care.
Honig
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Department of Mental Health Sciences, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Pop
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Tan
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Philipsen
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Romme
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MA
D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D006801:Humans; D009098:Multiphasic Screening / Q000639:trends*; D009426:Netherlands; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000639:trends*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012803:Sick Role