The development of an intersectoral intervention to patients with severe mental disease and selected somatic chronic diseases

Nordic research shows that psychiatric patients live 15–20 years less than the general population. This excess mortality is mainly due to somatic disease, the high prevalence of which among individuals with severe mental disease largely can be attributed to physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and side effects from psychopharmacological drugs. Additionally, research suggests that individuals with severe mental disease do not receive adequate treatment for their somatic diseases. Underdiagnoses and undertreatment of somatic disease are well documented. Knowledge is needed on how to optimize the detection of somatic disease and how to initiate and maintain medical treatment in this patient group. New models targeting this problem should build on the experiences and perspectives of both professionals and patients.