The problem of integrating behavioral health in the medical home and the questions it leads to.
Psychology and other behavioral health professions have amassed a broad empirical and clinical literature suggesting many medical presentations are best responded to with the addition of evidence based behavioral interventions. Despite this, psychology has not achieved a regular presence as part of medical practice. We suggest specific reasons for the current state of affairs including clinical, operational, societal labels, financial and training dimensions. Medical, psychological, administrative, and financial perspectives are reviewed. If the goals of health care system reform are to be reached then we must identify and challenge the current limitations of health care. This paper will identify the elements that need to be changed in order for psychology to be integrated into medicine rather than excluded from its policy, planning and operations.
Kessler
Rodger
R
Department of Family Medicine and Center for Translational Science, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Berlin Family Health, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. Rodger.Kessler@UVM.edu
Stafford
Dale
D
Messier
Randall
R
D001524:Behavioral Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036262:Empirical Research; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States