Cover: Co-location of Health Care for Adults with Serious Mental Illness and HIV Infection

Co-location of Health Care for Adults with Serious Mental Illness and HIV Infection

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal, v. 42, no. 4, Aug. 2006, p. 345-561

Posted on RAND.org on January 01, 2006

by Greer Sullivan, David E. Kanouse, Alexander Young, Xiaotong Han, Judith F. Perlman, Paul Koegel

This study describes persons with serious mental illness and comorbid HIV infection and examines the effect of co-location of mental health and HIV care on satisfaction, service utilization, and appropriateness of care. One hundred and eighteen subjects completed interviews and gave blood samples; medical records were abstracted. Most reported few barriers to care and satisfaction with mental health and HIV treatment. Co-location of mental health and HIV care did not influence satisfaction with care, utilization of services, or appropriateness of care. This report challenges the notion that persons with serious mental illnesses receive inadequate health care and that they have minimal capacity for illness management. These subjects may be benefiting from increased funding for, and attention to, persons with HIV infection.

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