Integrated primary care: patient perceptions and the role of mental health stigma

Abstract

Some patients are more willing to see a behavioral health provider within primary care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patients' perspectives of having access to a psychologist within primary care and to investigate whether mental health stigma affected preferences. In total, 36 patients completed questionnaires after seeing a psychologist in primary care. Patients were satisfied with having a primary care psychologist involved in their care. Most patients were more likely to see the psychologist in primary care and those who preferred this indicated higher levels of mental health stigma. The overarching theme for why patients saw a psychologist in primary care was convenience. Mental health stigma may also have played a role. Results suggest that providing integrated services may reach patients who may not have otherwise sought services in a behavioral health clinic. Findings from this study encourage the continued integration of behavioral health services.

Mental health specialist video consultations versus treatment as usual in patients with depression or anxiety disorders in primary care: study protocol for an individually randomised superiority trial (the PROVIDE-C trial)

“…Often, MHS attend to patients through “warm handoffs” from the GP instead of receiving conventional referrals. This model provides a low-threshold access to specialised care and has been well accepted in patients and providers [ 23 ]. Both the CC and the PCBH model have been implemented successfully in health care practice primarily in the USA, where a comprehensive whole-person approach for primary care is promoted as the backbone of the primary care medical home [ 24 – 26 ].…”

What Are Patient Preferences for Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care?

“…This study’s response rate of nearly 25% was comparable to previous studies on post-visit patient satisfaction with behavioral health services. 17 , 18 , 21 Still, no project with a survey focused on behavioral health in a primary care setting, pre- or post-visit, has featured a sample size of this magnitude. Critically, this sample may not have been large enough to establish hypothesized differences in patient preferences for IBHPC or racially and ethnically diverse to explore these health disparities.…”

“…Although studies have documented high patient satisfaction with IBHPC post-visit, few studies have described patient preferences for IBHPC pre-visit. [9][10][11][12][15][16][17][18][19][20] The available information on the experience with IBHPC documents a willingness to meet with an embedded behavioral health provider for a follow-up visit and that most patients prefer their mental health and medical providers co-located and in regular communication about their care. 20,21 Patients may prefer to receive behavioral health services in primary care due to the potential for poor communication between primary and specialty care, the flexibility and comfort of care, immediate access to care, consolidated appointments, lower cost, and less perceived stigma.…”

Mental health specialist video consultations versus treatment as usual in patients with depression or anxiety disorders in primary care: study protocol for an individually randomised superiority trial (the PROVIDE-C trial)

“…Often MHS attend to patients through "warm handoffs" from the GP instead of receiving conventional referrals. This model provides a low-threshold access to specialised care and has been well accepted in patients and providers [24]. Both the CC and the PCBH model have been implemented successfully in health care practice [25][26][27].…”