Commonwealth Fund November 17, 2020
Toplines
Barriers to integrated care, which combines primary health care and behavioral health care by using a team-based approach, include challenges in financing, health information technology (HIT), and workforce supply
The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified how advancement of HIT could increase access to integrated care
Abstract
- Issue: Preliminary data predict an increase in mental health needs in the U.S. population because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its socioeconomic consequences. Patients with chronic medical conditions are especially at risk for behavioral health conditions and poorer outcomes. Integrated behavioral health and primary care can improve these patients’ clinical outcomes.
- Goal: To describe how practices are successfully implementing and advancing integrated care.
Methods: A literature review identified 20 primary care practices that deliver...