Mental health care and nutrition. Integrating specialist services into primary care.
OBJECTIVE
Primary care reform is an important component of health services restructuring. One of the goals of primary care reform is to integrate specialized services into primary care settings. To date, few programs have successfully achieved this.


OBJECTIVE
To integrate specialized mental health services into the offices of family physicians through the Hamilton Health Services Organization (HSO) Mental Health and Nutrition Program.


METHODS
Since 1994, the Hamilton HSO Mental Health and Nutrition Program has integrated mental health counselors, psychiatrists, and dietitians into the offices of 87 family physicians. Activities of specialists are coordinated by a central administrative body.


CONCLUSIONS
Lessons learned from this program can indicate how to succeed in integrating specialist services into primary care offices.
Kates
Nick
N
Department of Psychiatry, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. nkates@mcmaster.ca
Crustolo
Anne Marie
AM
Farrar
Sheryl
S
Nikolaou
Lambrina
L
Ackerman
Sari
S
Brown
Shelley
S
D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D004046:Dietetics; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009864:Ontario; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011570:Psychiatry; D012040:Regional Health Planning