Open AccessImplementation of Integrated Behavioral Health Care in a Large Medical Center: Benefits, Challenges, and Recommendations
Author(s) -
Maria C. Prom,
Victoria E. Canelos,
Paula Fernández,
Katherine Gergen Barnett,
Cindy M. Gordon,
Christine A. Pace,
Lauren C. Ng
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of behavioral health services and research/the journal of behavioral health services and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.713
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1556-3308
pISSN - 1094-3412
DOI - 10.1007/s11414-020-09742-0
Subject(s) - health psychology , health informatics , public health , health care , behavioral medicine , thematic analysis , integrated care , nursing , sustainability , behavioural sciences , psychology , medicine , medical education , qualitative research , political science , clinical psychology , social science , sociology , law , biology , psychotherapist , ecology
Integrated behavioral health care (IBHC) models in primary care are positioned to address the unmet needs of traditional behavioral health models. However, research support is limited to specific populations, settings, and behavioral health conditions. Empirical evidence is lacking for expansion to larger health systems and diverse behavioral health conditions. This study examines perspectives on IBHC implementation in a large medical center. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 health providers and administrators in two primary care clinics with IBHC. Thematic analysis demonstrated that participants had an overall favorable perception of IBHC, but also perceived implementation challenges, including difficulties with access, underutilization, team dynamics, and financial and interdepartmental issues. The findings suggest that IBHC implementation barriers in existing large health systems risk diminishing potential benefits and successful adoption. These barriers can be combated by incorporating systems change strategies into implementation frameworks, with a focus on barrier prevention and detection and long-term sustainability.