Co-location of health care for adults with serious mental illness and HIV infection.
This study describes persons with serious mental illness and comorbid HIV infection and examines the effect of co-location of mental health and HIV care on satisfaction, service utilization, and appropriateness of care. One hundred and eighteen subjects completed interviews and gave blood samples; medical records were abstracted. Most reported few barriers to care and satisfaction with mental health and HIV treatment. Co-location of mental health and HIV care did not influence satisfaction with care, utilization of services, or appropriateness of care. This report challenges the notion that persons with serious mental illnesses receive inadequate health care and that they have minimal capacity for illness management. These subjects may be benefiting from increased funding for, and attention to, persons with HIV infection.
Sullivan
Greer
G
Department of Veterans Affairs, South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), North Little Rock, AR 72114, USA. sullivangreer@uams.edu
Kanouse
David
D
Young
Alexander S
AS
Han
Xiaotong
X
Perlman
Judy
J
Koegel
Paul
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000628:therapy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index