Psychiatric News (9/19) reports, “Researchers have long known that people with serious mental illnesses (SMI) tend to die at younger ages than those who do not have these conditions – likely due to their higher risk of chronic illnesses that tend to be more severe and diagnosed later in life,” but an “article in JAMA Psychiatry examines why these patients may have been overlooked for palliative care and a few simple steps that psychiatrists can take to help connect patients to end of life care when needed.” The researchers wrote, “This population faces disparities at the patient, health care professional, and system levels, which are worsened by the prevalent stigma associated with major mental illness. The ensuing fragmentation impedes care integration and raises the likelihood of poor health outcomes.”
Related Links:
— “Palliative Care Said to Help Patients With Serious Mental Illness, Psychiatric News , September 19, 2023