Primary care providers' perceptions of and experiences with an integrated healthcare model

Abstract

Objective and participants: The authors examined the experiences of primary care providers participating in an integrated healthcare service between mental health and primary care in a university health center. In this program, behavioral health providers work collaboratively with primary care providers in the treatment of students. Participants consisted of the 10 primary care providers participating in the program during the summer of 2004.

Methods: The authors evaluated the program using a descriptive survey, analyzed by a combination of measures of central tendency and multidimensional scaling with cluster analysis.

Results: They found a 2-dimensional, 3-cluster solution for the last 3 items. Findings indicate that although primary care providers valued behavioral health as a resource, a gap exists between what they believe behavioral health can assist with and their actual referral practice.

Conclusions: These findings indicate a need for further communication about the roles that mental health can play in the collaborative treatment of physical symptoms.