title: The physical health of Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients participating in residential rehabilitation programs: a comparison study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the differences in the physical health of Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients with severe mental illness (SMI) undergoing psychiatric rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  An audit of the physical health of patients ( n = 361) in all publicly funded residential rehabilitation programs in Queensland was carried out in late 2014. Data collection focused on clinical and lifestyle factors associated with physical health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of smoking, substance use and type 2 diabetes in Indigenous patients was significantly higher than rates found in non-Indigenous patients. Metabolic syndrome was also significantly higher in indigenous patients, with 66% of Indigenous patients compared to 46% of non-Indigenous patients meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with SMI in residential rehabilitation programs have poor physical health. Our findings underscore the need for clinicians to develop and evaluate interventions aimed at improving the metabolic profile of those with SMI in residential rehabilitation programs. Historical factors and cultural traditions need to be considered when designing lifestyle interventions for Indigenous patients.
authors.affiliation: Director of Service Evaluation and Research, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Archerfield, QLD, and; Associate Professor, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meehan
authors.affiliation: Project Officer, Queensland Benchmarking Unit, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Archerfield, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Clinical Director - Mental Health, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Archerfield, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stedman
authors.affiliation: Indigenous Health Coordinator, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Archerfield, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Research Registrar, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Archerfield, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suetani
authors.affiliation: Acting Manager, Queensland Benchmarking Unit, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Archerfield, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Foreman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: indigenous patients; physical health audit; residential rehabilitation