As published in the Palladium-Item, September 7, 2006
The Importance of Integrated Health Care
By Gretchen Gibbs, FNP
Health care providers have long known that effectively treating any disorder or disease necessitates evaluation and treatment of the whole person; body, mind and spirit all play a role in the health status of any individual. This is particularly evident when considering health care of individuals with psychiatric disorders. The severely and persistently mentally ill population is recognized as having a higher rate of other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Psychiatric symptoms often interfere with the individual’s ability to understand and follow recommendations from health care providers regarding other chronic illnesses, and often are a barrier to accessing and utilizing health care services appropriately. Many people with severe and persistent mental illness are on very limited incomes and have very limited funds for health care. Many have limited supports in the community and rely on the community mental health center to provide the support needed to successfully remain in the community and to access needed resources.
There is a growing movement among community mental health centers in the United States to address the special health care needs of the clients they serve. A few have taken steps to provide comprehensive primary health care to their clients that is tailored to the special needs of the mentally ill population. Primary health care providers who are experienced in assessing and interpreting psychiatric symptoms can offer integrated and holistic care. They can coordinate the interventions of the other clinicians and case managers in the mental health center to reinforce lifestyle changes needed to achieve and maintain better health and to manage chronic illness. Creativity, understanding, persistence and flexibility are necessary attributes of health care providers working with the mentally ill who want to improve the health of the clients they serve.
Dunn Mental Health Center is the first in the state of Indiana to offer comprehensive primary health care to clients within the mental health center. The DC Wellness Clinic is opening in July and care will be provided by a Family Nurse Practitioner who has many years of experience in psychiatric nursing, as well as primary health care. The clinic is open to adult clients of Dunn Mental Health Center, and is housed in the Community Support System at 54 South 15th Street in Richmond.