Related Experiment Videos
Screening CMHC outpatients for physical illness
D A Bartsch1, D L Shern, L E Feinberg
1Colorado Division of Mental Health, Denver 80236.
Hospital & Community Psychiatry
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Physical health problems are common in public mental health outpatients. Routine medical screenings are recommended to identify and manage these co-occurring conditions in psychiatric care.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychiatry
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Co-occurring physical disorders are prevalent in psychiatric outpatients.
- Early identification of physical conditions can improve mental health treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of physical disorders among outpatients in Colorado's public mental health system.
- To assess the impact of physical conditions on mental health diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 175 outpatients from two community mental health centers were included.
- Comprehensive medical screenings, including physical examinations and laboratory analyses, were performed.
Main Results:
- 46% of patients had physical conditions or lab results needing further evaluation.
- 20% had previously undiagnosed physical health problems.
- 16% had conditions that could cause or worsen their mental disorder.
Conclusions:
- Public mental health systems should implement routine physical health assessments for psychiatric outpatients.
- Guidelines for medical screening procedures in public mental health settings are suggested.