Primary Healthcare

Biography

Biography: Disa Dahlma and Eva Ekstrom

Abstract

Symptoms of anxiety and depression are increasing in the Swedish population. Also, patients with severe psychiatric disorders such as psychosis and heroin addiction are over-represented for physical illness such as blood-borne infections, cardiovascular disease and diseases related to tobacco use. Unmet healthcare needs are common in these patient groups. Our primary healthcare clinic aims to integrate psychiatry and primary healthcare. We present a clinical triage model of diagnosing and treating patients with psychiatric illness at primary healthcare level and a model of offering easy-accessible, low-threshold primary healthcare for patients receiving outpatient psychiatric care. Strategy for improving psychiatric care at primary healthcare level: Triage by psychiatric nurse, according to Figure-1; nurse led Antabuse and prescription drug distribution for patients with substance use disorders; patients with complex psychiatric problems are discussed in team with physician, psychiatric nurse, psychologist and counselor and on-site consultations with psychiatrist/psychologist for complex patients. Close collaboration with Addiction Centre Malmö. Strategy for improving access to primary healthcare for patients receiving treatment at psychiatric outpatient clinics: On-site primary healthcare for patients in opioid substitution treatment and yearly on-site health examinations for patients with psychosis.