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Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Management in Mental Health Clients: Whose Role is it Anyway?

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Abstract

People with serious mental illness have higher rates of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. This study describes health practitioners’ views on their role and confidence assessing and managing cardiovascular risk. The key findings were of a widespread acknowledgement of the need to undertake systematic risk assessment and offer structured approaches to risk factor management. Barriers of client engagement, lack of good systems and poor information sharing between primary and secondary care providers were identified. Solutions discussed included a collaborative care model or the integration of physical health services, perhaps a general practitioner-led clinic, within the secondary care setting. Whilst there is a need to identify an optimal care model there is an even greater need to take some rather than no action.

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Notes

  1. Primary Healthcare Organisations are national, government funded bodies responsible for providing essential primary healthcare services. They are intended to be multiprofessional organisations, including GPs, who deliver services appropriate to their health needs of their enrolled population.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to all those who participated in the key informant interviews. We would also like to thank Tamasailau Sualii-Sauni for her input regarding the qualitative analysis and reviewing the presentation of results. Thanks also to Teresa Timo for transcribing assistance, the administration staff at the School of Pharmacy and the library staff at The University of Auckland for their support, knowledge and advice. Declaration of Interests: No author received any financial compensation for the completion of this manuscript. No author is financially involved with any organisation that may benefit financially by this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Research & Resource Centre, Mental Health and Addictions, Waitemata District Health Board, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Amanda J. Wheeler

  2. Medicines Management Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Jeff Harrison

  3. School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Priya Mohini, Jeshika Nardan, Amy Tsai & Eve Tsai

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  1. Amanda J. Wheeler
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  2. Jeff Harrison
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  3. Priya Mohini
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Correspondence to Amanda J. Wheeler.

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Wheeler, A.J., Harrison, J., Mohini, P. et al. Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Management in Mental Health Clients: Whose Role is it Anyway?. Community Ment Health J 46, 531–539 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-009-9237-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-009-9237-0

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