Improving Care for Patients with Serious Mental Illness

摘要

The American Psychiatric Association recommends that physicians work with psychiatrists to manage medical issues, but that psychiatrists also maintain basic skills for screening and monitoring medical diseases common in these patients (e.g., cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes).14 If working independently, physicians and psychiatrists may lack important health information about the patient; therefore, a growing number of organizations have called for better collaboration between primary care and mental health professionals.3,9 This may involve seeking patient permission for health care professionals to share notes, lists of medications, and hospitalization data as well as joint contact with caregivers to share ideas and information.