The Bologna Primary Care Liaison Service: first year evaluation.
Primary care and mental health were recently integrated by the Italian health authorities. The Bologna Primary Care Liaison Service (PCLS) is ideally suited to the Italian National Health Care System, because most primary care physicians practice individually and mental health services provide first level care. The distinctive features of the program are: 1) location within a mental health center; 2) comprehensive mental health assessment and intervention; 3) collaboration between primary care physicians and mental health services which is facilitated through committees and communication. First year results met expectations. Integrating a PCLS program within a mental health center can be a viable means of implementing national policy.
Berardi
Domenico
D
Institute of Psychiatry, Bologna University, Italy. dberardi@alma.unibo.it
Menchetti
Marco
M
Dragani
Alessia
A
Fava
Claudia
C
Leggieri
Giuseppe
G
Ferrari
Giuseppe
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D012017:Referral and Consultation