Can Mental Health Intergration in Primary Care Improve Quality and lower cost

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the successful implementation of an evidence-based, integrated quality improvement mental health program in a primary care setting.SUMMARY: Intermountain Healthcare (IHC) has aligned resources around a conceptual framework that emphasizes clinic and community accountability, family and consumer health focused on recovery rather than disease, and enhanced decision making through partnerships and automation. The mental health integration system includes an integrated team led foremost by the patient and family with vital defined roles for primary care providers, care managers, psychiatrists, advanced practice registered nurses, support staff, and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Pharmacists have assumed training functions on the team and have the potential to play more vital roles.CONCLUSION: The IHC experience demonstrates that mental health services can be effectively integrated into everyday practice in a primary care setting. Clinical and financial burden can be decreased for the health care team, patients, and family.

Enhancing Pediatric Mental Health Care: Strategies for Preparing a Primary Care Practice

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Attitudes of Homeless and Drug‐Using Youth Regarding Barriers and Facilitators in Delivery of Quality and Culturally Sensitive Health Care

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Diabetes self-management education improves quality of care and clinical outcomes determined by a diabetes bundle measure

“…Another strategy within IH clinics has been the deployment of team-based care via its mental health integration (MHI) 6 – integration of mental health into primary care – and personalized primary care (PPC) – IH’s version of the national Patient-Centered Medical Home project. Both strategies have had a significant impact on improving patients’ outcomes for diabetes especially with achievement of the diabetes bundle and lowering HbA 1c , and are scheduled to be fully implemented across the system by early 2014.…”