Although an integrated primary care-behavioral health model is gaining momentum in healthcare, there is a dearth of research supporting the benefits of warm handoffs. A warm handoff is a formal introduction to a behavioral health clinician by another medical professional, often facilitated in the exam room during the visit. This exploratory study (n = 93) examined association between warm handoffs and initial and subsequent visit rates in a rural New England primary care practice setting. Patients with a warm handoff at the time of referral were much more likely to schedule a behavioral health visit (100% vs. 58%; p = .003). Among all initially referred patients, 92.3% of warm handoff patients had a subsequent behavioral health visit compared to 50% ( p = .005) without the in-person therapist contact. These findings provide evidence that warm handoffs can enhance patient engagement with behavioral health services in primary care settings when there is colocation of behavioral health services. Public Health Significance StatementThis study explored the potential benefit of primary care providers facilitating a referral for counseling in real time by introducing the patient to the on-site behavioral health clinician, a process known as a "warm handoff." Results showed a significantly higher rate of attendance to the first counseling session for patients who were formally introduced in person by their primary care provider than the more traditional method of putting in a request for the behavioral health clinician to call the patient at some point after their medical visit. Results from this study support evidence that warm handoffs may aid a higher rate of patient engagement, which in turn may enhance continuity and quality of care.
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