Consumers With Serious Mental Illness Perspectives on Care Integration: Preparation for Integration

Area of Science:

• Healthcare integration
• Mental health services
• Primary care

Background:

• Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) face significant health disparities.
• Integrating mental health and primary care services offers a potential solution.
• Consumer involvement in planning can enhance integrated care models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To incorporate the perspectives of consumers with SMI into the planning of integrated mental health and primary care services.
• To understand consumer experiences and identify key factors for successful integration.

Main Methods:

• A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted in Philadelphia.
• Data collection involved 12 focus groups (n=149) and surveys (n=137) with consumers with SMI.
• Survey and focus group data were analyzed and integrated.

Main Results:

• Key themes identified include primary care experiences, healthcare stigma, and social determinants of health as barriers.
• Consumers with SMI generally supported care integration.
• Successful integration requires attention to social determinants, patient privacy, and provider respect.

Conclusions:

• Consumer-informed integration can reduce health disparities for individuals with SMI.
• Addressing care barriers, stigma, and social determinants is essential for policymakers and administrators.
• Nurses are pivotal in leading healthcare integration and breaking down system silos.