title: Factors Influencing Mental Health Screening and Treatment Among Women in a Rural South Central Appalachian Primary Care Clinic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Some of the most significant mental health concerns among US adults are depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and intimate partner violence. These concerns represent an ever-growing portion of the primary care population, especially in rural areas. However, few studies have examined factors influencing screening and treatment of these concerns by primary care providers, particularly in Appalachia. This study explores barriers and facilitators to mental health screening and treatment among women at a rural, primary care clinic in Appalachia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients and 4 providers were interviewed face-to-face. Thematic analysis was used to identify emergent themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients identified 3 barriers (stigma, lack of support, and lack of education) and 2 facilitators (integrated care and positive experiences with providers). Providers identified 4 barriers (operational barriers, mental health competence, predicted patient reactions, and patient attitudes) and 3 facilitators (clinic characteristics, provider characteristics, and patient and provider education). Generally, patients focused more on individual and social factors influencing mental health service use, while providers were more aware of training gaps, logistical factors at the clinic, and systemic issues within the larger health care system. Both participant types emphasized specific interpersonal qualities and the importance of integrated services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Screening and treatment may be influenced by the availability and advertisement of integrated services, institutional support, strong patient-provider relationships, and provider training and experience. For rural south central Appalachia women, limited mental health resources may make these factors even more salient.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology Department, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology Department, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cantrell
authors.affiliation: Center for Nursing Research, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Joellen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology Department, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Will
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dalton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001061:Appalachian Region; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D012424:Rural Population; D014481:United States
keywords: Appalachia; mental health; primary care; qualitative research; screening and treatment