Severe Persistent Mental Illness Research Articles

Co-locating Primary Care in a Behavioral Health Home Improves Outcomes.

The Behavioral Health Home model of care enables patients living with severe persistent mental illness to access both mental health and primary care services, leading to improved mental and physical well-being. This article presents the implementation and health outcomes of colocating a primary care provider within an outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation day program.

Examining the relationship between severe persistent mental illness and surgical outcomes in women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer

BackgroundSevere persistent mental illness (SPMI) is associated with worse outcomes in cancer patients. Less is known about the relationship between SPMI and surgical outcomes after mastectomy for breast cancer. MethodsWe selected patients with breast cancer and SPMI from the National Inpatient Sample (2016–2018) and used propensity score matching. We then used multivariate analysis, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and conditional logistic regression to compare demographics and outcomes. ResultsThe study sample consisted of 670 patients: 536 without SPMI and 134 with SPMI. SPMI was associated with bilateral mastectomy (bilateral: 53% vs. unilateral: 42.7%, p = 0.033) and decreased frequency of breast reconstruction (p < 0.001). SPMI was associated with more extended hospitalization (4 days vs. 2 days, p < 0.001) and increased risk of developing post-procedural infection and sepsis (OR 2.909). ConclusionsSPMI is associated with bilateral mastectomy, more extended hospitalization, and increased risk for post-procedural infection and sepsis – suggesting the need for increased use of standardized screening tools to identify SPMI in patients and inform perioperative management correctly.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide in people with mental disorders

Until 2020, only Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the Netherlands admitted, under differentiated legal coverage, requests for euthanasia and / or assisted suicide in patients with non-terminal illnesses, and for reasons of intractable and unbearable suffering. Since March 2021 this is also possible in Spain. The objective of this work is to review the existing studies and characteristics of the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide (ESA) in people with mental disorders (TM) and / or dementia (D) and see if the legal requirements essential in ESA applications in these patients are to be met. The hypothesis is that compliance with these requirements is especially difficult in patients with TM-D, either because of the characteristics of the disease itself, or because of the recognized legal security failures. Likewise, there may be sources of fraud not actually prosecuted by the State, either due to the complicity of society and / or due to the necessary cooperation of Medicine. As a result of this review, we raise criticaethical-deontological considerations about the approval of ESA for patients with TM-D, and its errors and consequences, to the reflection of the readers. We propose as an alternative to ESA the so-called ″palliative psychiatry″, which aims at improving the quality of life of patients and their families by facing the problems associated with severe persistent mental illness -potentially fatal- through the prevention and relief of suffering.

Does the length of institutionalization matter? Longitudinal follow-up of persons with severe mental illness 65 years and older: shorter-stay versus longer-stay.

As part of the process of de-institutionalization in the Swedish mental healthcare system, a reform was implemented in 1995, moving the responsibility for services and social support for people with severe mental illness (SMI) from the regional level to the municipalities. In many ways, older people with SMI were neglected in this changing landscape of psychiatric care. The aim of this study is to investigate functional levels, living conditions, need of support in daily life, and how these aspects changed over time for older people with SMI. In this study we used data from surveys collected in 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011 and data from national registers. A group of older adults with severe persistent mental illness (SMI-O:P) was identified and divided into those who experienced shorter stays (less than 3 years) in a mental hospital (N=118) and longer stays (N=117). After correcting for longitudinal changes with age, the longer-stay group was more likely than the shorter-stay group to experience functional difficulties and as a result, were more likely to have experienced 're-institutionalization' to another care setting, as opposed to living independently. The length of mental illness hospitalization has significant effects on the living conditions of older people with SMI and their ability to participate in social life.

Nurses' views on palliative care for those diagnosed with severe persistent mental illness: A Pilot Survey Study in Switzerland.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: In recent years, some have suggested that palliative care approaches be considered for patients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness. Palliative care aims to decrease the suffering related to illness rather than focusing on curing the illness. Palliative care approaches for patients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness are controversial: Some argue palliative care would improve quality of life while others argue it would negatively affect patients' well-being. A recent survey found that psychiatrists from Switzerland tended to support the idea of palliative care approaches for those diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness, but little is known about nurses' attitudes or beliefs regarding palliative psychiatry. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Participating nurses tended to agree that palliative care approaches may be appropriate and even important in caring for those diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness. Participating nurses tended to prioritize quality of life and respect for patient autonomy. Participating nurses tended to agree palliative sedation may be an appropriate intervention. WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE FOR PRACTICE?: For those diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness, care that aims to increase daily functioning and quality of life rather than care that looks to cure may be appropriate. Palliative psychiatry should be further explored and better defined. ABSTRACT: Introduction In recent years, palliative care approaches for patients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness have been proposed, but remain controversial. Aim/Question The central research question of the present study was whether nurses consider palliative psychiatry appropriate in general and for certain patient types in particular. This pilot study is designed to inform future research. Method A quantitative survey that explored attitudes and beliefs regarding palliative care for those with severe, persistent mental illness. Results The responding 38 nurses tended to agree that palliative care approaches are suitable (73%, n=24) and even important (62%, n=21) in treating patients diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness, including interventions such as palliative sedation (73%, n=24). Discussion Widespread support among respondents regarding palliative care approaches for those diagnosed with severe, persistent mental illness might be an indication that palliative approaches are already implicitly understood and incorporated into patients' care. More research is needed to determine whether these findings represent nurses' views generally. Implications for practice These finding suggest that palliative psychiatry should be further explored and developed.

Metacognition and the clubhouse model in treating severe mental illness.

Clubhouses have demonstrated significant positive psychosocial outcomes, in addition to more enduring resiliencies for persons with histories of severe persistent mental illness (SPMI). However, there is a paucity of research investigating the recovery processes impacted by community-based interventions like clubhouse for SPMI. Research into metacognition and its relation to recovery trajectories in SPMI creates a compelling cognitive and intersubjective framework within which to understand the recovery impacts of the clubhouse intervention model of social practice. The present article examines significant areas of conceptual overlap between the clubhouse model of social practice, metacognition, and intersubjective recovery processes. A preliminary research project investigating the metacognitive impacts of community-based interventions for SPMI is presented. An overview of the theoretical and practical relevance of the clubhouse community-based treatment model of social practice to metacognitive recovery processes is presented through a discussion of the resilience observed in clubhouse settings as it relates to the enhancement of intersubjectivity. The clubhouse model of social practice is a unique therapeutic modality with outcomes that can be readily investigated and explained through metacognitive processes relevant to recovery in SPMI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Acceptability of Assisted Suicide in Patients With Severe and Persistent Mental Illness

Abstract. In Switzerland, assisted suicide (AS) may be granted on the basis of a psychiatric diagnosis. This pilot study explored the moral attitudes and beliefs of nurses regarding these practices through a quantitative survey of 38 psychiatric nurses. The pilot study, which serves to inform hypothesis development and future studies, showed that participating nurses supported AS and valued the reduction of suffering in patients with severe persistent mental illness. Findings were compared with those from a previously published study presenting the same questions to psychiatrists. The key differences between nurses’ responses and psychiatrists, may reflect differences in the burden of responsibility, while similarities might capture shared values worth considering when determining treatment efforts. More information is needed to determine whether these initial findings represent nurses’ views more broadly.

Randomized Trial of Reverse Colocated Integrated Care on Persons with Severe, Persistent Mental Illness in Southern Texas.

Persons with severe, persistent mental illness (SPMI) are at high risk for poor health and premature mortality. Integrating primary care in a mental health center may improve health outcomes in a population with SPMI in a socioeconomically distressed region of the USA. To examine the effects of reverse colocated integrated care on persons with SPMI and co-morbid chronic disease receiving behavioral health services at a local mental health authority located at the US-Mexico border. Randomized trial evaluating the effect of a reverse colocated integrated care intervention among chronically ill adults. Participants were recruited at a clinic between November 24, 2015, and June 30, 2016. Receipt of at least two visits with a primary care provider and at least one visit with a chronic care nurse or dietician, compared with usual care (behavioral health only). The primary outcome was blood pressure. Secondary outcomes included HbA1c, BMI, total cholesterol, and depressive symptoms. Sociodemographic data were collected at baseline, and outcomes were measured at baseline and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. A total of 416 participants were randomized to the intervention (n = 249) or usual care (n = 167). Groups were well balanced on almost all baseline characteristics. At 12months, intent-to-treat analysis showed intervention participants improved their systolic blood pressure (β = - 3.86, p = 0.04) and HbA1c (β = - 0.36, p = 0.001) compared with usual care participants when controlling for age, sex, and other baseline characteristics. No participants withdrew from the study due to adverse effects. Per-protocol analyses yielded similar results to intent-to-treat analyses and found a significantly protective effect on diastolic blood pressure. Older and diabetic populations differentially benefited from this intervention. Colocation and integration of behavioral health and primary care improved blood pressure and HbA1c after 1-year follow-up for persons with SPMI and co-morbid chronic disease in a US-Mexico border community. clinicaltrials.gov , Identifier: NCT03881657.

Hospice Use Among Individuals With Severe Persistent Mental Illness.

BACKGROUND: Severe persistent mental illness (SPMI) currently affects an estimated 11.2 million adults in the United States (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019). Affected individuals are known to experience inequities in care, and on average, they die earlier than individuals without SPMI. Currently, little is known about hospice use among individuals with SPMI, including what factors contribute to the use of hospice services. AIMS: The aim of this integrated review was to identify factors associated with the use of hospice services by individuals with SPMI. METHODS: A review of the available literature on this topic was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, and PsycInfo were searched, and relevant records were identified. Ultimately, eight studies were identified and selected for analysis. RESULTS: Themes illustrating the factors associated with hospice use and, within them, challenges to obtaining hospice care were discovered. The three themes identified within the eight studies were fragmentation of care, inadequate communication, and the need for advance care planning. These patterns indicated that multiple barriers to utilizing hospice care exist for individuals with SPMI when compared with the general population. CONCLUSIONS: By recognizing and addressing factors influencing the use of hospice care, as well as barriers to receiving hospice, improved provision of timely end-of-life care that is consistent with individuals' preferences may be facilitated.

Impact on mental health by "Living in Isolation and Quarantine" during COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact on mental health by "Living in Isolation and Quarantine" during COVID-19 pandemic.

A Reverse Colocated Integrated Care Model Intervention among Persons with Severe Persistent Mental Illness at the U.S.-Mexico Border: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

Persons with severe persistent mental illness (SPMI)—which include individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and mood disorders such as major depression—are at high risk for poor health outcomes and premature death. Persons with SPMI are largely absent from research evaluating innovative health care models due to recruitment and retention barriers. This paper presents the protocol for a randomized control trial testing a reverse colocated integrated care model in an SPMI population receiving care at a mental health clinic at the U.S.-Mexico border. The study employs a randomized control trial design to determine whether reverse colocated integrated care improves physical and mental health of persons with SPMI. Participants will be randomized to receive the integrated primary care intervention or usual care (behavioral health only). All study participants will complete baseline, 6-, and 12-month assessments. Study outcomes included blood pressure, HbA1c, cholesterol, body mass index, depression, and adult functioning. Despite challenges in recruiting and retaining SPMI patients, co-locating primary care services within a local mental health authority has the potential to improve health and reduce health disparities experienced by persons with SPMI. The study will determine the impacts of this colocated integrated care model among SPMI patients in a socio-economically disadvantaged region.Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT03881657.

A scoping review of palliative care for persons with severe persistent mental illness.

People with severe persistent mental illness (SPMI) experience a greater burden and severity of chronic disease, late diagnosis, and premature death compared with the general population. Those with SPMI also receive fewer medical treatments, poor quality of care, and are less likely to receive palliative care. A systematic scoping review was undertaken to determine the extent, range, and nature of research activity about people with SPMI requiring palliative care, and to identify gaps and opportunities for future research. A systematic scoping review was undertaken in September 2017 and updated in May 2018 to map literature on this topic, determine the extent and range of what has been published, and report the findings. This five-stage framework was conducted by (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) determining study selection; (4) charting the data; and 5) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. A narrative approach to analysis was used to synthesize and interpret findings. A search of multidisciplinary healthcare databases resulted in 46 included articles. Four major themes were identified from the included studies: complexity of care; limited access to care (both through systems and healthcare providers); competence and autonomy; and the potential for relationships between mental health and palliative care. This review reveals a highly vulnerable population with complex needs that are not reliably being met by the healthcare system and providers. Research in this area must continue to develop using rigorous qualitative and quantitative study designs, and interventions should be developed and tested based on existing knowledge to inform care. The voices of people with SPMI in need of palliative care must be represented in future studies to address gaps. To expand a body of literature addressing mainly individuals, system perspectives and sociocultural analysis can bring much to contextualizing the experience of living with SPMI in the palliative phase of care. Adoption of a palliative approach, which promotes the principles of palliative care across nonspecialized care settings provided by nonspecialist palliative providers, has the potential to increase access to high-quality palliative treatment for people with SPMI.

Reverse Colocated Integrated Care Intervention Among Persons With Severe Persistent Mental Illness at US-Mexico Border

Reverse Colocated Integrated Care Intervention Among Persons With Severe Persistent Mental Illness at US-Mexico Border

Fully-integrated medical home for people with severe and persistent mental illness: A description and outcome analysis of a Medicare Advantage Chronic Special Needs Program.

People with severe persistent mental illness pose a significant challenge to managed care organizations and society in general. The financial costs are staggering as is the community impact including homelessness and incarceration. This population also has a high incident of chronic comorbid disorders that not only drives up healthcare costs but also significantly shortens longevity. Traditional case management approaches are not always able to provide the intense and direct interventions required to adequately address the psychiatric, medical and social needs of this unique population. This article describes a Medicare Advantage Chronic Special Needs Program that provides a Medical Home, Active Community Treatment, and Integrated Care. A comparison of utilization and patient outcome measures of this program with fee for service Medicare found significant reduction in utilization and costs, as well as increased adherence to the management of chronic medical conditions and preventative services.

Fully-integrated medical home for people with severe and persistent mental illness: A description and outcome analysis of a Medicare Advantage Chronic Special Needs Program

People with severe persistent mental illness pose a significant challenge to managed care organizations and society in general. The financial costs are staggering as is the community impact including homelessness and incarceration. This population also has a high incident of chronic comorbid disorders that not only drives up healthcare costs but also significantly shortens longevity. Traditional case management approaches are not always able to provide the intense and direct interventions required to adequately address the psychiatric, medical and social needs of this unique population. This article describes a Medicare Advantage Chronic Special Needs Program that provides a Medical Home, Active Community Treatment, and Integrated Care. A comparison of utilization and patient outcome measures of this program with fee for service Medicare found significant reduction in utilization and costs, as well as increased adherence to the management of chronic medical conditions and preventative services.

Case Study Supporting the Return of Long Term Psychiatric Institutions for Patients with Severe Persistent Mental Illness

There has been a surge of greater than 30% in the rate of inpatient psychiatric readmissions amongst patients with severe mental illness following the era of deinstitutionalization and co-morbid medical illness has been found to be a consistent factor amongst this subset of patients. Hospital psychiatrists often see these patients revolve in and out of the hospital, a phenomena known to negatively impact their quality of life. Having a highly structured 24-hour long term psychiatric institutions is a much needed resource for patients with severe mental illness who are unable to take care of self.

Refractory Schizophrenia, Attempted Suicide, and Withdrawal of Life Support: A Clinical Ethics Case Report

BackgroundWithdrawal of life support for an individual with refractory schizophrenia after attempted suicide remains controversial. Discussion regarding prognosis of mental illness and the distinction between somatic and mental illness brings out many ethical issues. This article will examine the role and weight of severe persistent mental illness in the withdrawal of life support after attempted suicide. Case DescriptionA 30-year-old gentleman with deafness and schizophrenia was admitted with multiple self-inflicted visceral stab wounds. He developed postoperative complications necessitating ongoing critical care. The parties involved were as follows: the patient, his parents, the critical care trauma service, the palliative and psychiatry consult services, and the ethics committee. Over the patient's hospital course, his parents struggled to reconcile his poor preinjury quality of life with his ongoing need for intensive medical intervention. The primary and consulting teams were required to integrate differing perspectives on the patient's past responsiveness to treatment and the extent to which additional efforts might advance his quality of life and limit his future suffering and suicidality. The patient's surrogate decision makers unanimously requested withdrawal of life support. An ethics committee convened to address the question of whether refractory schizophrenia can produce so poor a quality of life as to merit the withdrawal of life-sustaining measures after a suicide attempt. Consensus was achieved, and life-sustaining measures were subsequently withdrawn, allowing the patient to pass away peacefully in an inpatient hospice facility.

G13-B A Scoping Review of Palliative Care for Those with Severe Persistent Mental Illness

G13-B A Scoping Review of Palliative Care for Those with Severe Persistent Mental Illness

Palliative psychiatry for severe persistent mental illness as a new approach to psychiatry? Definition, scope, benefits, and risks.

BackgroundAs a significant proportion of patients receiving palliative care suffer from states of anxiety, depression, delirium, or other mental symptoms, psychiatry and palliative care already collaborate closely in the palliative care of medical conditions. Despite this well-established involvement of psychiatrists in palliative care, psychiatry does not currently explicitly provide palliative care for patients with mental illness outside the context of terminal medical illness.DiscussionBased on the WHO definition of palliative care, a, a working definition of palliative psychiatry is proposed. Palliative psychiatry focuses on mental health rather than medical/physical issues. We propose that the beneficiaries of palliative psychiatry are patients with severe persistent mental illness, who are at risk of therapeutic neglect and/or overly aggressive care within current paradigms. These include long-term residential care patients with severe chronic schizophrenia and insufficient quality of life, those with therapy-refractory depressions and repeated suicide attempts, and those with severe long-standing therapy-refractory anorexia nervosa. An explicitly palliative approach within psychiatry has the potential to improve quality of care, person-centredness, outcomes, and autonomy for patients with severe persistent mental illness.ConclusionsThe first step towards a palliative psychiatry is to acknowledge those palliative approaches that already exist implicitly in psychiatry. Basic skills for a palliative psychiatry include communication of diagnosis and prognosis, symptom assessment and management, support for advance (mental health) care planning, assessment of caregiver needs, and referral to specialized services. Some of these may already be considered core skills of psychiatrists, but for a truly palliative approach they should be exercised guided by an awareness of the limited functional prognosis and lifespan of patients with severe persistent mental illness.

Multi-morbidity: Psychosis early childhood adversity and substance use within homeless people

Homelessness is the most visible indicator for social marginalization and vulnerability. It is a risk factor for subsequent health threats and especially individuals with a history of trauma, substance use and severe persistent mental illness are at high risk to loose their homes, jobs and social networks.The Canadian At Home/Chez Soi study aimed to better understand the entanglement of homelessness and mental illness and possible strategies to provide care to the most vulnerable. In 5 Canadian centers, over 2000 patients were included and randomized to different intervention arms based on a housing first approach.Early trauma and foster care were as rampant as poly substance use, which explains a significant increase in mortality too.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.