Barriers to the Provision of Preventive Care to People Living with Mental Health Conditions: Self-Report by Staff Working in an Australian Community Managed Organisation

Abstract

People living with mental health conditions experience a reduced life expectancy largely due to a higher prevalence of chronic diseases. Addressing health risk behaviours, including tobacco smoking, inadequate nutrition, harmful alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity (SNAP), through the provision of preventive care, is recommended to reduce this burden. Community Managed Organisations (CMOs) may play an important role in providing preventive care to consumers with mental health conditions, however, few studies have examined preventive care provision in CMO settings; and no studies have comprehensively assessed barriers to the provision of this care using a tool such as the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). To fill this research gap, we conducted an online survey among staff (N = 190) from one CMO in Australia to (1) identify barriers to preventive care provision (ask, advise, assist, connect) to address SNAP behaviours among consumers; and (2) explore associations between barriers and preventive care provision. Results demonstrate that while staff reported knowing how to provide preventive care and believed it would positively impact consumers; barriers including confidence in providing this care and consumer uptake of referrals, were identified. Further research among multiple CMOs is needed to identify care provision and associated barriers in the sector more widely.