“I just felt that everything came tumbling down around me”—Barriers in cancer care for patients with severe mental illness: A qualitative study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314313
• Publication Date: 2025-01-27T18:33:22Z
• Authors: Astrid Næraa Høeg...; Mette Stie; Peter Hjorth; Jens Søndergaard; Dorte Gilså Hansen; Lars Henrik Jensen
• Keywords: Science; Q; R; Medicine; Research Article

Background Patients with severe mental illness experience serious inequity when facing cancer treatment. They are less likely to be referred for treatment following recommended guidelines and have poorer survival than patients without illness. Relevant specialties such as psychiatry general practice rarely involved, the patient perspective is represented in research field. The present study investigated how barriers facilitators of patient-centred care. Methods In this qualitative case study, field observations, semi-structured interviews, file analysis were performed five an adult psychiatric setting, included through purposeful sampling. Results Our showed one major theme, “Complexity on many levels”, four subthemes: “How affected by trajectory”, “The complexity vulnerability”, “Fragmented healthcare system lack structure”, role relationship between health professional.” Barriers trajectory leading worsening illness, well fragmentation a systematic approach group. Facilitators professionals acknowledging patient’s own resources approaching person rather disease. Conclusion This highlights critical focal points improve care who also struggle By addressing these target areas, providers can better tailor their meet unique needs population.