# Impact of the Therapy Capability Framework on the Provision of Physical Health Care in a Large Publicly Funded Mental Health Service

## TL;DR

A framework was developed to improve physical health care in mental health services, showing increased service provision over time.

## Contribution

The study evaluates a new framework to enhance physical health care delivery in mental health services.

## Key findings

- Nursing staff had higher capability levels than Allied Health staff in physical health care.
- There was a significant increase in the provision of physical health services over 12 months.
- The framework may help implement physical health interventions in mental health services.

## Abstract

People with mental illness have poor physical health outcomes. While clinical staff recognise the value of physical health in mental healthcare, they report low confidence and a lack of resources and training. As a result, physical health needs are often unaddressed in routine care. A physical healthcare therapies capability framework (PHC TCF) was developed to support staff in developing capability in addressing the physical health needs of consumers of a large public mental health service. The aims of the current study were to evaluate: (i) staff capability in physical healthcare and the association with provision of service; (ii) changes in capability and service provision. Self-rated PHC TCF level and Provision of Service (POS) statistics for physical health assessment and intervention over 12-months were analysed. The nursing profession was associated with higher PHC TCF level than Allied Health (p <.01). While there was no significant change in PHC TCF levels, POS significantly increased over 12 months (z = -2.69, p =.007). This study demonstrated that a PHC TCF may be a useful tool to reinforce and implement physical health interventions in public mental health services.