The patient-centered medical home: Unprecedented workforce growth potential for professional psychology.

Abstract

Changes in the health care system and a renewed focus on patient-centered medical homes, which integrate behavioral health services into primary care, present professional psychologists with unprecedented workforce and growth opportunities. However, the profession must act immediately to take full advantage of these emerging opportunities. Although many conceptualize integrated primary care as including mental health services in primary care, in practice, the role of the primary care behavioral professional extends far beyond mental health concems. The authors suggest two key domains of action: First, in order to serve optimally as behavioral health professionals and leaders in primary care, psychologists must receive training in clinical health psychology. Second, psychologists need to increase knowledge and skills in the conduct of translational research in "real-world" clinical settings. The discussion centers on delineating the imperatives the profession must address and offers general suggestions for possible approaches, which ideally will form the basis for specific models of professional preparation. What is abundantly clear is that, as the face of health care changes, professional psychology must respond swiftly and appropriately not only to remain viable, but to thrive.

Preparing the Workforce for Behavioral Health and Primary Care Integration

“…[2][3][4] Presently, most PCCs and BHCs receive professional training in discipline-specific silos and in relative isolation from 1 another. 3,5,6 Although this is beginning to change, 7,8 the dominant paradigm has created BHCs and PCCs with little or no training in working collaboratively to deliver shared, patient-centered care. 3,9 -11 The workforce competencies, skills, behaviors, and attitudes health professionals need to work in integrated settings has been articulated in previous studies and reports.…”

Ethical Implications of Mental Health Stigma: Primary Health Care Providers’ Perspectives

“…Another reason that cause health care provider to hold stigma against mental health patiente is lack of cooperation between health care providers from different specialities. Beacham, Kinman, Harris, and Masters (2012) and McGrath and Sammons (2011), discussed the opportunities and challenges of providing mental health care in primary settings. The need for an evolution of mental health services in the primary care setting.…”

Organizational Factors in Patient-Centered Medical Home Implementation and Chronic Disease Management in HRSA-Funded Community Health Centers

“…The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model has increasingly attracted the attention of health organizations in the United States as an approach with the potential to improve health outcomes among those with chronic disease, improve quality of care, and reduce health care costs (Martsolf et al, 2012). This health care model promotes the delivery of patient-centered, comprehensive, coordinated, accessible, and evidence-based care, placing emphasis on the whole person, his/her family, and his/her overall well-being (Beacham et al, 2012;Martsolf et al, 2012;Cook et al, 2015;Platonova et al, 2016).…”

“…This model is considered to have the potential to improve health outcomes among those with chronic disease, improve quality of care, enhance patient experience, and reduce health care costs (Martsolf et al, 2012;Setodji et al, 2017). The PCMH model promotes the delivery of patient-centered, comprehensive, coordinated, accessible, and evidence-based care in a culturally competent manner, placing emphasis on the whole person, his/her family, and his/her overall health and well-being (Beacham et al, 2012;Platonova et al, 2016).…”

“…Case 2 focused on the establishment of what they called a "patient service culture," which included the establishment of a patient service department and a patient service policy for all health center sites. Within a PCMH, these practices are expected to improve the patient's experience and engagement in care (Luxford, Safran & Delbanco, 2011;Beacham et al, 2012;Platonova et al, 2016).…”