title: Integrating Primary Care and Behavioral Health: A Nurse Practitioner's Perspective.
abstract: Health equity for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) requires collaborative partnerships between primary care and behavioral health organizations. This paper presents the experiences and perspectives of a nurse practitioner in a large-scale pilot program to integrate primary care and behavioral health between an FQHC and a community mental health center, both serving predominantly Asian immigrant populations. This paper discusses lessons learned through program implementation and provides insights on developing a truly integrated system involving equal and full cooperation across disciplines to provide quality and holistic care for patients with SMI. Implications for clinical practice and policy are discussed.
authors.forename: Le
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thai
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saw