title: Benefits of integrated behavioral health services: The physician perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are benefits of integrating a behavioral health specialist in primary care; however, little is known about the physicians' perspectives. The purpose of this study was to explore primary care physicians' beliefs regarding the benefits of integrated care for both patients and themselves.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen senior staff physicians and 78 residents completed surveys regarding their opinions of referring to a psychologist in a patient-centered medical home.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The top reasons that physicians believed their patients followed through with a visit with an integrated psychologist included that they recommended it (79.5%) and that patients can be seen in the same primary care clinic (76.9%). The overwhelming majority of physicians were satisfied with having access to an integrated psychologist (97.4%). Physicians believed that integrated care directly improves patient care (93.8%), is a needed service (90.3%), and helps provide better care to patients (80.9%). In addition, physicians reported that having an integrated psychologist reduces their personal stress level (90.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary care physicians may be motivated to integrate behavioral health services into their clinics knowing that other physicians believe that it directly and indirectly improves patient care and physician stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Health, Henry Ford Health System.
authors.forename: Lisa Renee
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Miller-Matero
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Health, Henry Ford Health System.
authors.forename: Kate Elizabeth
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Dykuis
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System.
authors.forename: Kamelia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Albujoq
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Health, Henry Ford Health System.
authors.forename: Kellie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System.
authors.forename: Brittany S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Willens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001524:Behavioral Medicine / Q000379:methods; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce