Did you know that people with severe mental illness (eg schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and affective disorder with psychosis) are up to 3 times as likely to smoke as the general population, and are more nicotine dependent? They die up to 20 years prematurely, often from tobacco-related causes such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. This means that if we could help people with severe mental illness quit tobacco - and the evidence is clear that they want to - there would be a significant gain globally in terms of mortality, morbidity and healthcare utilisation.
In time for World COPD Day tomorrow (15 November), an International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) clinical and public health team from Brazil, Spain, Greece and the UK have co-produced a new "desktop helper" for primary care teams in general practice and in mental health services to help them help people with SMI who are tobacco dependent.
www.ipcrg.org/dth16
The HIFA mental health working group on substance use disorders [ https://www.hifa.org/projects/mental-health-meeting-information-needs-su... ] provided one of the reviewers.
It should be read in conjunction with two separate desktop helpers. So here are the three:
1. Severe mental illness, tobacco dependence and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
https://www.ipcrg.org/DTH16.
2. Helping patients quit tobacco
https://www.ipcrg.org/desktophelpers/desktop-helper-no-4-helping-patient...
3. COPD and Mental Health: Holistic and Practical Guidance for Primary Care
https://www.ipcrg.org/dth12
HIFA profile: Sian Williams is Chief Executive Officer at the International Primary Care Respiratory Group in the UK. Professional interests: Implementation science, NCDs, primary care, respiratory health, education, evaluation, value, breaking down silos. sian.health AT gmail.com
