Diagnostic overshadowing of mental health conditions in UK health care
Mental Health and Social Inclusion
ISSN: 2042-8308
Article publication date: 24 May 2024
Issue publication date: 3 December 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Diagnostic overshadowing (DO) may be contributing to the worsening physical health outcomes for people diagnosed with mental health (MH) conditions. DO is a phenomenon researched worldwide, but there has been no systematic review of the evidence for its prevalence in UK health care. This paper aims to add to this body of knowledge, expanding the understanding of what factors are contributing to the poor physical well-being of people with diagnosed MH conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic search of three databases was conducted and after evaluation, three studies were selected for the review.
Findings
DO was found to have a high prevalence with structural, staffing and patient issues identified through a thematic analysis. Contemporary evidence shows themes identified are still impacting UK health care. Collaborative working across mental and physical health teams, thorough and lengthy assessments, and improved education for physical health care staff have been cited as mitigating factors to this practice.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first review of the evidence for diagnostic overshadowing taking place in UK health care.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author thanks Professor Russell Gurbutt for the ongoing support with the author’s professional doctorate journey and also acknowledges the necessary encouragement and help which Professor Russell Gurbutt provided that made the author believe in her skills and capabilities and without whom, the author would not have made it to this point.
Erratum: It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article, Hale, Z.J. (2024), “Diagnostic overshadowing of mental health conditions in UK health care”, Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-04-2024-0060, incorrectly formatted the acknowledgments section of the article. This has been corrected in the online version of the article.
The publisher sincerely apologises for this error and any inconvenience caused.
Citation
Hale, Z.J. (2024), "Diagnostic overshadowing of mental health conditions in UK health care", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 28 No. 6, pp. 1370-1382. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-04-2024-0060
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited