Primary care providers' perceptions of and experiences with an integrated healthcare model.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Westheimer
Joshua M
JM
Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Texas at Austin (UT), Austin, TX 78712, USA. jwestheimer@mail.utexas.edu
Steinley-Bumgarner
Michelle
M
Brownson
Chris
C
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001524:Behavioral Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D013781:Texas; D014495:Universities