Providing medical care to mentally ill women in the community

Medical care is difficult to provide for chronic psychiatric patients in the community, but is easier to provide if it is integrated into a larger program of services. A comprehensive care model for this group should take into account the need for rehabilitation, social services, medication, crisis care, physical medical care and overall continuity. This article describes a multi-service program in Toronto operated by the "Friends of Shopping Bag Ladies," and the provision of medical care to the participants of this program by visiting general practitioners.