Mental Health and Substance Abuse Screening in Primary Care

Abstract

An automated screening system for substance abuse and mental health problems was developed and implemented in a rural primary care clinic. Eighty-nine patients were assessed with this system. The incidence of identified problems, 35% in total, was consistent with that found in previous studies of patients in general and medical settings. Additionally, over half of the patients assessed felt at least some need for mental health or substance abuse treatment. Nonetheless, because of the staff's concerns over patient privacy, impeding patient flow, and the physician's perceived ability to adequately identify these problems without assistance, the system was not adopted.

The Plight of Rural Child Welfare: Meeting Standards Without Services

“…Shoeneberger et al (2006), found alcohol to be the most common lifetime and current substance used in rural Kentucky, but with "unacceptable high levels" (p. 107) of illegal drug use. Screening patients in a rural primary care clinic, Hile (2003) found 35% of patients to have mental health and/or substance abuse problems that should be referred for treatment, consistent with rates in other settings. In addition, rural Americans face challenges in education, employment, all aspects of transportation, health, etc., (Ginsberg, 2004) which, combined with poverty and economic hardships outlined previously, increase the risk of emotional, behavioral and substance abuse problems (Conger & Elder, 1994).…”