Use of Preventive Health Services in People With Serious Mental Illness: Consumer Perspectives on Barriers and Solutions

Objective: This study asked 350 consumers with serious mental illness (DSM-IV) (who are using community mental health services in Sacramento County, California) for their perspective about barriers and solutions to use of preventive health services.

Methods: Two questions were posed: (1) What do you think keeps you from getting preventive tests? (2) What do you think would help you complete the recommended tests? Participants were interviewed between October 2010 and December 2012. A mixed qualitative and quantitative data analysis method was used to examine participant responses.

Results: Perceived barriers included low priority (n = 64, 20%), doctor (did not order) (n = 55, 17%), finances/insurance barriers (n = 45, 14%), fear (n = 39, 12%), and knowledge about the services (n = 31, 10%). Common solutions included doctor-related interventions (n = 75, 23%), information (n = 61, 19%), insurance coverage (n = 49, 15%), transportation (n = 36, 11%), and use of reminders (n = 28, 9%).

Conclusions: Consumers suggest that interventions may include providing more information and reminding doctors to order the tests and patients to complete the tests.