Understanding Barriers and Facilitators of Primary Care Use Among Assertive Community Treatment Teams Via Qualitative Analysis of Clients and Clinicians

Individuals with severe mental illness and substance use disorders face complex barriers to achieving physical health. This study aims to explore the barriers and facilitators of primary care access among an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 clients and 7 clinicians from an ACT team at a community mental health center in Connecticut. Data analysis followed a grounded theory approach, with codes and themes emerging iteratively during the interview process. The study identified multifaceted barriers to accessing primary care, including economic challenges, homelessness, and the prioritization of mental health and substance use symptoms over healthcare. The conceptual framework consists of nine dominant themes: clients’ attitudes, knowledge, mental health, and motivations (“Client-Level Barriers and Facilitators”); ACT team-directed care coordination and relationship-building as well as primary care provider communication (“Provider-Level Barriers and Facilitators”); and clients’ experiences with medical care and socioeconomic status (“Systemic-Level Barriers and Facilitators”). This research provides valuable insights into the various barriers faced by ACT clients in accessing primary care. Improving primary care access for individuals with severe mental illness and substance use disorders is crucial for reducing health disparities in this vulnerable population.