Abstract
Integrated care for medical conditions is essential for persons with serious mental illness (SMI). This qualitative study
describes mental health provider perspectives regarding barriers and facilitators of integrated care for patients with SMI.
We interviewed providers from a national sample of Veterans Health Administration facilities that scored in the top or bottom
percentile in medical care quality. Providers from high-performing sites reported substantial in-person contacts with general
medical providers, while providers from low-performing sites reported stigma and limited communication with medical providers
as major concerns. Interventions to improve mental health and medical provider communication may facilitate integrated care
for persons with SMI.
describes mental health provider perspectives regarding barriers and facilitators of integrated care for patients with SMI.
We interviewed providers from a national sample of Veterans Health Administration facilities that scored in the top or bottom
percentile in medical care quality. Providers from high-performing sites reported substantial in-person contacts with general
medical providers, while providers from low-performing sites reported stigma and limited communication with medical providers
as major concerns. Interventions to improve mental health and medical provider communication may facilitate integrated care
for persons with SMI.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10488-011-0365-9
- Authors
- Amy M. Kilbourne, VA Ann Arbor Center for Clinical Management Research, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Devra E. Greenwald, VA Pittsburgh Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Mark S. Bauer, VA Boston Center for Organization, Management, and Leadership Research (COLMR), Boston, MA, USA
- Martin P. Charns, VA Boston Center for Organization, Management, and Leadership Research (COLMR), Boston, MA, USA
- Elizabeth M. Yano, VA Greater Los Angeles HSR&D Center of Excellence for the Study of Healthcare Provider Behavior, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Sepulveda, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Journal Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
- Online ISSN 1573-3289
- Print ISSN 0894-587X