Biomedical subjects

Barbara Hocking

Publications and source records attributed to Barbara Hocking.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Reducing social isolation in people with mental illness: the role of the psychiatrist.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of social isolation and the nature of close relationships among people with mental illness in contact with SANE Australia, and to assess the role of the psychiatrist in assisting in the reduction of social isolation. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 76 carers and 182 consumers via SANE Australia's helpline service, website or face-to-face during February and March 2005. RESULTS: Loneliness and social exclusion are major issues for Australians with mental illness who are in contact with SANE Australia. Almost three out of four respondents said that they, or the person they care for, experienced loneliness often, if not all the time. Consumers who attended psychosocial rehabilitation services regularly were more content with their close relationships than those who did not. Psychiatrists were identified as one of the preferred points of referral for psychosocial rehabilitation services. CONCLUSIONS: The separation between clinical treatment services and psychosocial rehabilitation programmes for people with mental illness has created a system that is fragmented and makes it easy for consumers to 'fall through the net'. For these reasons, there should be greater collaboration between psychosocial and clinical services. This will encourage psychiatrists to refer people to community programmes.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Australia needs a mental health commission.

OBJECTIVES: The present paper aims to: (i) describe how the Mental Health Commission in New Zealand works and has contributed to the substantial enhancement of mental health resources and services; (ii) determine whether mental health reform policies will ever be implemented properly without an independent monitor with official influence at the highest levels of government; and (iii) demonstrate how variants on this model work in other Western countries and how it can be adapted to the Federated system in Australia. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that the Australian National Mental Health Plan 2003-2008 should be complemented by a long-standing national mental health commission (or similarly constituted body), which is also able to report independently from and to the government, with direct access to the Prime Minister, Premiers and Australian Health Ministers. Its aims would be to monitor service effectiveness and identify gaps in service provision, training and performance of the work force, management and government. It would be informed by consumer, carer and provider experience, and by reviews of evidence-based research regarding health needs and cost-effective services. It should accurately cost such service gaps, and advise government on a strategy for implementing them. It could also promote and advise formally on enhancing community awareness, decreasing stigma and discrimination and improving workforce recruitment and retention.

Advisory Committees↗

PubMed2004

Managing schizophrenia in general practice.

BACKGROUND: The lifetime risk of schizophrenia is about one in 100. It is an illness associated with substantial disability and increased risk of physical illness. OBJECTIVE: This article updates general practitioners on the physical, psychological and social management of patients with schizophrenia. DISCUSSION: General practitioners have a key role in managing patients with schizophrenia, including early detection of prodromal symptoms, monitoring and preventing relapses, and providing high quality primary and secondary prevention for common physical problems. Effective care requires a thorough understanding of local specialist services, pharmacotherapies, and familiarity with psychosocial interventions that will genuinely benefit patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Reducing mental illness stigma and discrimination - everybody's business.

The stigma associated with schizophrenia is pervasive, both in the community and among healthcare workers, and forms a real barrier to optimal recovery from the illness. The negative consequences of stigma include discrimination in housing, education and employment, and increased feelings of hopelessness in people with schizophrenia. Health professionals have a responsibility to improve their own attitudes and behaviour towards people with schizophrenia so they do not contribute to the stigma. Educational campaigns aimed at people in the community and media personnel could help to demystify mental illness and reduce the portrayal of offensive stereotypes of people with schizophrenia.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2003

Case managers' attitudes to the physical health of their patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the attitudes and practices of case managers working in Area Mental Health Services (AMHS) towards the physical health of people with chronic mental illness. METHOD: Case managers at four AMHS in Melbourne participated in focus groups and completed a survey questionnaire. RESULTS: Case managers generally believed that mental illness, psychotropic medication and lifestyle factors contributed to the poor physical health status of their patients. Although many case managers attempted interventions aimed at improving physical health, there was inconsistency regarding the areas targeted. Preventive health measures were often neglected. Overall, there was a sense of pessimism around whether improved physical health was possible for people with chronic mental illness. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of coordination among health professionals and the health system may contribute to the poor general health of people with mental illness. Patients often have difficulty accessing general practitioners and the culture within the AMHS can exclude considerations of physical health. Case management should include aspects addressing the physical health issues of AMHS clients.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2002

Smoking cessation in schizophrenia. General practice guidelines.

BACKGROUND: The rate of cigarette smoking in people with schizophrenia is up to three times that of the general population, and causes much ill health and high mortality rates. There are physiological and pharmacological interactions between the symptoms of schizophrenia, antipsychotic medication and smoking which contribute to this high rate and make it more difficult for those with schizophrenia to cease smoking. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to inform general practitioners of the extent and nature of the problem, and ways to assist people with schizophrenia to reduce/cease smoking. DISCUSSION: Patients with schizophrenia often experience physical, financial and social disadvantages because of their illness. Actively encouraging and assisting smoking reduction/cessation is important to improve their quality of life as well as longevity.

Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)↗