title: Real-world implementation and outcomes of health behavior and mental health assessment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Assessing patient-reported health behaviors is a critical first step in prioritizing prevention in primary care. We assessed the feasibility of point-of-care behavioral health assessment in 9 diverse primary care practices, including 4 federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), 4 practice-based research network practices, and a Department of Veterans Affairs practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective mixed-methods study, practices were asked to integrate a standardized paper-based health behavior and mental health assessment into their workflow for ≥50 patients. We used 3 data sources to examine the implementation process: (1) patient responses to the health assessment, (2) patient feedback surveys about how assessments were used during encounters, and (3) postimplementation interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most nonurgent patients (71%) visiting the participating practices during the implementation period completed the health assessment, but reach varied by practice (range, 59% to 88%). Unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and stress were the most common patient problems, with similar frequencies observed across practices. The median number of "positive screens" per patient was similar among FQHCs (3.7 positives; standard deviation [SD], 1.8), practice-based research network practices (3.8 positives; SD, 1.9), and the Veterans Affairs clinic (4.1 positives; SD, 2.0). Primary care clinicians discussed assessment results with patients about half of the time (54%), with considerable variation between practices (range, 13% to 66%; lowest use among FQHC clinicians). Although clinicians were interested in routinely implementing assessments, many reported not feeling confident of having resources or support to address all patients' behavioral health needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary care practices will need to revamp their patient-reported data collection processes to integrate routine health behavior assessments. Implementation support will be required if health assessments are to be actively used as part of routine primary care.
authors.affiliation: the Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles; the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA; the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond; The Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research, VA Healthcare System, Bedford, MA; the Department of Family Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington; and the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: Hector P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Glenn
authors.forename: Tanya T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Olmos
authors.forename: Alex H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Krist
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Rodger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heurtin-Roberts
authors.forename: Roshan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bastani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Communication; Mental Health; Practice-based Research; Prevention; Screening