M5 · Clinical Practice
M5
Slide 2
CONTENT
5 MIN
Operationalising Integrated Care in Complex Mental and Physical Health Situations
Introduction: When Integration Meets Complexity
In Module 4, we explored Integrated Health and Social Care as a system architecture. We examined principles, coordination mechanisms, discharge pathways, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
But integration is not truly tested in policy documents or organisational charts. It is tested in complexity.
More often, they live with overlapping and interacting vulnerabilities:

Trauma histories across the life course

Severe mental health conditions

Substance use disorders

Chronic physical illnesses

Social instability and housing insecurity

Experiences of stigma, violence, and exclusion

Mental health instability can destabilise housing.
Chronic physical illness can worsen depression and anxiety.
Addiction may function as self-medication for trauma.
Sleep deprivation increases irritability and cognitive impairment.
Uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes may affect mood and behaviour.
In practice, mental and physical health cannot be separated.
Integrated care becomes visible when a person presents with:

PTSD and alcohol dependence

Chronic liver disease

Parenting responsibilities

Fear of institutions

Missed appointments

Distrust and ambivalence

This module moves from system design to operational reality.
You will apply the four IHSC principles in situations where trauma, addiction, and chronic physical illness intersect.
The central question of this module is:
Can we stabilise layered vulnerability without fragmenting care?
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:

Explain how trauma, chronic stress, addiction, and physical illness interact in people experiencing homelessness.

Recognise common mental health disorders, substance use patterns, and chronic physical conditions in this population.

Apply Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles in real-life interactions.

Use Motivational Interviewing (OARS and scaling techniques) to support engagement and change.

Integrate harm reduction approaches into coordinated care planning.

Identify layered vulnerabilities (e.g., parenting, SGBV, minority stress) and respond sensitively.

Analyse ethical dilemmas in dual diagnosis and multimorbidity cases.

Apply IHSC principles in complex clinical situations.