A liaison-somatic team: Exploring meetings between medical specialists and patients in Psychiatry

The increasing numbers of people with multimorbidity has been a concern in international context for years. The population of people with two or more treatment requiring illnesses is pressuring our healthcare system, which, in most Western countries, is organised to provide specialised and effective treatments. This presents a challenge in managing people with multiple and complex health issues.  Furthermore, it is well-known that people with severe mental illness face a substantially shortened life expectancy compared to the general population and that up to 70% of early deaths are caused by physical ill health. Based on this knowledge and the wishes of a local mental health peer board, patients with physical health needs in the mental health services of the North Denmark Region are currently offered consultations and follow-up with medical specialists from the university hospital. This liaison-somatic team is built on collaboration between staff from different medical specialities and the mental health departments. The study aimed to explore the meetings that take place between members of the liaison-somatic team and patients in the mental health services. The objective is to gain insight into what characterises these meetings and the experiences of both patients and members of the liaison-somatic team. The study is designed as a focused ethnographic study and generates data through participant observations of meetings and interviews with those participation in the meetings. Data will be analysed using conversation and thematic analysis. The study is ongoing, and preliminary findings will be available at the conference.