Abstract
Primary care medical providers (PCPs) have become de facto providers of services for the management of both mental and chronic
illnesses. Although some reports suggest that PCPs favor having Behavioral Health colleagues provide behavioral health services
in primary care, others demonstrate this view is necessarily not universal. We examined attitudes regarding behavioral health
services among PCPs in practices that offer such services via onsite behavioral health providers (n = 31) and those that do not (n = 62). We compared referral rates and perceived need for and helpfulness of behavioral health colleagues in treating mental
health/behavioral medicine issues. In both samples, perceived need was variable (5–100%), as were PCPs’ views of their own
competence in mental health/behavioral medicine diagnosis and treatment. Interestingly, neither sample rated perceived access
to behavioral health providers exceptionally high. Referral rates and views about the helpfulness of behavioral health services,
except in relation to depression and anxiety, were lower than expected. These results suggest a need for increased collaboration
with and education of PCPs about the roles and skills of behavioral health professionals.
illnesses. Although some reports suggest that PCPs favor having Behavioral Health colleagues provide behavioral health services
in primary care, others demonstrate this view is necessarily not universal. We examined attitudes regarding behavioral health
services among PCPs in practices that offer such services via onsite behavioral health providers (n = 31) and those that do not (n = 62). We compared referral rates and perceived need for and helpfulness of behavioral health colleagues in treating mental
health/behavioral medicine issues. In both samples, perceived need was variable (5–100%), as were PCPs’ views of their own
competence in mental health/behavioral medicine diagnosis and treatment. Interestingly, neither sample rated perceived access
to behavioral health providers exceptionally high. Referral rates and views about the helpfulness of behavioral health services,
except in relation to depression and anxiety, were lower than expected. These results suggest a need for increased collaboration
with and education of PCPs about the roles and skills of behavioral health professionals.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10880-011-9283-y
- Authors
- Abbie O. Beacham, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA
- Andrew Herbst, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA
- Timothy Streitwieser, Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, USA
- Elizabeth Scheu, Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA
- William J. Sieber, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Journal Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
- Online ISSN 1573-3572
- Print ISSN 1068-9583