Minding our own bodies: reviewing the literature regarding the perceptions of service users diagnosed with serious mental illness on barriers to accessing physical health care.

International studies consistently demonstrate that individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI) have an increased risk of co-morbid physical health problems and premature death. During the past decade, government policy in the UK has focused on improving the physical health of those with SMI. Despite this, international research has continued to report barriers to accessing appropriate services. These have been identified as emanating from service users and professionals alike, and also from institutional bureaucracy. Most of this research has reported difficulties from the perspective of various professional groups, with little attention being paid to the service user voice. Studies from the service user perspective undertaken in the past 10 years equate to six qualitative and three quantitative studies, and it appears that poor physical health care remains a problem in the developed world. The quality of this care is compromised by practical problems and interpersonal difficulties between service users and health-care providers and between providers of mental health services and those providing physical health care. This paper presents a review of the nine international studies and discusses the implications for developing policy and practices that could lead to improved physical health-care services for people experiencing SMI.

"Vanished twin": an exploration of women's experiences.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that in identified twin pregnancies 30 percent become a "vanished twin," that is, when two gestation sacs are identified at early ultrasound but subsequently only one fetus is seen. This study explored the thoughts, feelings, and hospital experiences of women who have a vanished twin. METHOD: The study was conducted in a large teaching hospital in northwest England from April to June 2001. The experiences of 9 women were explored through 4 focus groups and an individual interview. Nulliparous and multiparous groups were separated for homogeneity. The study's philosophical approach was based on constructivism, and the thematic analysis used a feminist interpretation to search for patterns of meanings from the women's words. RESULTS: The women wanted to be cared for in a humanistic manner, and they felt that acknowledgement of the vanished twin by the professional was important. The findings highlighted the need for better information giving to improve communication between caregivers and women. Multiparas were more prepared than nulliparas to ask for the attention that they wanted. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small number of study participants, results suggest that maternity caregivers should be sensitive to the feelings and individual nature of a woman who has experienced a vanished twin. Humanistic approaches to communication and improved methods of information based on the development of an information sheet are advised.