A Qualitative Study Examining the Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Medical Healthcare Services among Women with a Serious Mental Illness

ObjectiveThis qualitative study investigates the barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilizing healthcare services among women with a serious mental illness (SMI).MethodsA purposive sample of 30 poor, urban, predominantly African-American women with a diagnosis of an SMI was recruited. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was guided by a modified constant comparison approach.ResultsThe findings highlight a variety of nonmedical factors that serve as both barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilizing medical healthcare services, such as a trusting relationship with a mental health provider and a women’s social network.ConclusionNonmedical factors and personal circumstances seem to be important factors influencing pathways to healthcare services among women with an SMI. Efforts to better engage and retain women with an SMI into healthcare will need to better acknowledge and incorporate the larger social context of the women’s lives.