Abstract

Authors names

A/Prof Scott Clark¹, Marius Di Plotti², Georgia Lawrence³, Shannon McGowan⁴, Shillen Midzi⁵, Tammie Syed⁶, Dr Sumana Thomson⁷, Juliette Von Der Borch⁸,  Lisa Wilton⁹

Affiliations

1. Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN), Adelaide University, 2. CALHN, 3. CALHN, 4. CALHN, 5. CALHN, 6. CALHN, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN), 7. NALHN, Adelaide University, 8. CALHN, 9. CALHN, Office of the Chief Psychiatrist

Introduction
This project explores the co-design and trial of Flourish Physicards, a physical health reflection tool, within community psychiatric rehabilitation centres (CRCs) in South Australia. People living with severe mental illness (SMI) often face complex physical health challenges, yet tools that empower them to prioritise and reflect on their health needs are limited. Our prospective interventional study involves three CRC sites: Elpida House (treatment group), a second site with treatment as usual (TAU), and a third as a control group.

Discussion
The Physicards were developed by Flourish Australia to facilitate patient engagement in physical health management. A multidisciplinary team—including peer specialists, lived experience workers, clinicians, and researchers—collaboratively co-designed this study with CRC residents to ensure relevance, acceptability, and meaningful involvement. The team met regularly to scope the project, review and pilot health literacy assessment tools, evaluate which Physicards can be administered by lived experience staff versus clinical staff, and design recruitment materials. Executive sponsorship was secured through Local Health Network leadership and research communities.

We will assess participant health literacy using validated tools and investigate the acceptability, experience, and efficacy of Physicards among residents at the treatment site. Our goal is to determine whether integrating Physicards into routine physical health screening improves patient outcomes, quality of life, and functional status, while enhancing staff-resident communication and shared understanding of physical health needs.

This study exemplifies a collaborative, strengths-based approach to physical health intervention development for people with SMI in rehabilitation settings. Positive findings could support broader adoption of Physicards, advancing holistic, person-centred care that empowers individuals and reduces healthcare burdens through improved engagement and tailored support.