Clinical guidelines for the physical care of mental health consumers: a comprehensive assessment and monitoring package for mental health and primary care clinicians

Objectives: People with a mental illness are more likely to experience poor physical health as compared to the general population. Currently, Australian mental health patients experience a relatively low level of physical health appraisal, prompting the development of the Clinical guidelines for the physical care of mental health consumers assessment and monitoring package. Method: The Clinical guidelines package takes an holistic approach, with a focus on the key dimensions of medication effects, lifestyle, existing or developing physical disorders, alcohol and illicit drug use, and psychosocial factors. Results: The package consists of a metabolic syndrome algorithm wall chart, a Clinician handbook, a Psychosocial assessment booklet, and a set of three screening forms. Conclusions: By taking a user-friendly, flexible, evidence-based approach, the resource can be used by all clinicians involved in the healthcare of people with a mental illness. Key words: assessment and monitoring, mental health, metabolic syndrome, primary health care