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Chronic disease preventive care provision in one mental health community-managed organisation

Other resource • Lauren Gibson

 

Abstract

Authors:

Lauren Gibson*, Kate Bartlem, Alison Rasmussen, Jade Ryall, Jenny Bowman

Background

Community Managed Organisations (CMOs) are a promising setting to deliver preventive care for chronic disease risk behaviours to people with a mental health issue. Previous research suggests that some CMOs are providing programs to support the physical health needs of consumers, but these do not seem to be systematically or routinely provided. This study aimed to explore the extent to which staff members of CMOs are currently providing preventive care for chronic disease risk behaviours to people with a mental health issue.

Method

A self-administered cross-sectional online survey was conducted with staff of one CMO from August to November 2017. A total of 268 current staff members completed the survey, with 232 providing information on current levels of preventive care delivery.

Results

Levels of preventive care provided differed depending on the type of risk behaviour; with the highest average proportion of consumers provided care for physical inactivity (44% to 68%) and the lowest average proportion of consumer provided care for harmful alcohol consumption (30% to 55%).The level of care provided also differed by preventive care element; ranging from 68% of consumers provided with an assessment of risk status (for physical activity), to 30% of consumers provided with a referral to a behavior change service (for those identified as ‘at risk’ for harmful alcohol consumption).

Conclusion

These results suggest that some chronic disease risk behaviours are being addressed more consistently than others, and more intensive preventive care elements, such as providing referrals to behavior change services, are provided less frequently. CMO staff members may require more training around how to provide preventive care and/or how to do this for particular risk behaviours that staff may not be comfortable or confident talking about. Further exploration of the barriers and facilitators to providing chronic disease preventive care in this setting is required.