Primary Care Practice Redesign: Challenges in Improving Behavioral Health Care for a Vulnerable Patient Population.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2020
Abstract
This study examined a program focused on integrating mental health in a family medicine practice in an economically challenged urban setting. The program included using a behavioral health technology platform, a behavioral health collaborative composed of community mental health agencies, and a community health worker (CHW). Of the 202 patients screened, 196 were used for analysis; 56% were positive for anxiety, 38% had scores consistent with moderate to severe depression, and 34% were positive for post-traumatic stress disorder. There was a statistically significant difference in the diagnosis of depression when comparing the screened group to a control group. Only 27% of patients followed through with behavioral health referrals despite navigational assistance provided by a CHW and assured access to care through a community agency engaged with the Behavioral Health Alliance. Further qualitative analysis revealed that there were complex patient factors that affected patient decision making regarding follow-up with behavioral health care.
Volume
35
Issue
2
First Page
101
Last Page
109
ISSN
1555-824X
Published In/Presented At
Swavely, D., O'Gurek, D. T., Whyte, V., Schieber, A., Yu, D., Tien, A. Y., & Freeman, S. L. (2020). Primary Care Practice Redesign: Challenges in Improving Behavioral Health Care for a Vulnerable Patient Population. American journal of medical quality : the official journal of the American College of Medical Quality, 35(2), 101–109. https://doi.org/10.1177/1062860619855136
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
31226884
Department(s)
Department of Family Medicine
Document Type
Article