Models of Behavioral Health Assessment and Treatment in Primary Care
摘要
To address the growing behavioral health (BH) needs of the population in the US, significant efforts have been made to integrate BH services into primary care. Models of BH integration exist in a continuum and the extent of the collaboration varies. The Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) and the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) are two models of integration that have been researched extensively. This chapter provides an overview of both models and the mechanisms by which they contribute to strengthening integration efforts in primary care. In particular, this chapter will address the role of the Primary Care Provider (PCP) and their role in facilitating integration. In any system, when a new element is introduced, it affords opportunities for existing parts of the system to adapt to integrate the new element. The introduction of an integrated BH effort introduces new people and workflows—both in PCBH and CoCM—to the primary care team. Like many roles in healthcare, these new members of the team and workflows can enhance patient care and team performance in multiple ways. This chapter aims to familiarize the PCP with their role in implementing these models and provide specific guidance on how to optimally collaborate with these new team members to improve primary care. Recognizing that not all primary care clinics may have the means or resources to fully implement these models of care, emphasis is also placed on practical tips for implementation including considerations for small or rural practice settings.