title: The utility of a caseload registry: perceptions of behavioral health clinicians working in an integrated primary care and mental health program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the perceived benefits and limitations of a Web-based clinical support tool for behavioral health clinicians serving patients in an integrated primary care and mental health program in Washington State community health centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 71 clinicians who utilize a Web-based clinical support tool ("the caseload registry") in treating patients. Follow-up interviews were scheduled with a subset (n=32) of respondents. Comments made during these interviews were analyzed using qualitative methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survey responses were favorable on 4 of 7 questions regarding specific benefits of the caseload registry. Notably, clinicians agreed that the caseload registry helps track patients and their clinical progress. Clinicians also agreed that the caseload registry adds an additional documentation burden to their work duties. The most common positive themes identified during follow-up interviews were that the registry is useful and improves care. The most common critical themes identified were that the tool is burdensome and sometimes does not encompass important elements of care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Behavioral health clinicians working in an integrated primary care and mental health program report that use of a caseload registry adds value and improves care. They express that it helps provide more comprehensive care and tracks patient progress.
authors.affiliation: Medical Student Research Training Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. Electronic address: eckstrom@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eckstrom
authors.affiliation: Medical Student Research Training Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. Electronic address: dew7@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Dallas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: AIMS Center, Division of Integrated Care and Public Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6560, USA. Electronic address: mavery@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Avery
authors.affiliation: AIMS Center, Division of Integrated Care and Public Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6560, USA. Electronic address: unutzer@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Unützer
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003376:Counseling; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009726:Nurses; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011584:Psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012042:Registries; D000068217:Social Workers; D014861:Washington
keywords: Families; Health; Integrated; Registry; Systems