title: Practical recommendations for improvement of the physical health care of patients with severe mental illness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Health care for the physical health of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) needs to be improved. Therefore, we aimed to develop policy recommendations to improve this physical health care in the Netherlands based on consensus (general agreement) between the major stakeholders.
  
  
  METHODS
  A modified Delphi was used to explore barriers and subsequently establish policy recommendations with all key stakeholders. Consensus was sought between patients with SMI, their family carers, general practitioners, and mental healthcare professionals--all experts in the everyday practice of health care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consensus was reached on policy recommendations regarding (i) improvements in collaboration between healthcare professionals, (ii) the need for professional education on the specific medical risks of patients with SMI, and (iii) the distinguished responsibilities of general practitioners on the one hand and mental healthcare professionals on the other hand in taking care of patients' physical health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article provides a range of policy recommendations that could lead to considerable improvements in the physical health of SMI patients.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Care, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; GGZ WNB, Mental Health Hospital, Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: van Hasselt
authors.forename: M J T
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Oud
authors.forename: A J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Loonen
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers; D003144:Communication Barriers; D032921:Consensus; D003697:Delphi Technique; D058005:General Practitioners; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009426:Netherlands; D011050:Policy Making; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011570:Psychiatry; D036301:Qualitative Research; D058996:Quality Improvement
keywords: Community mental health services; general practice; health promotion; patient participation; qualitative research