Quality and customers: Type 2 change in mental health delivery within health care reform

Abstract

The traditional separation of mental health and medical programs is problematic because mental health issues are inseparable from the larger medical system. By contrast, a collaborative primary care model of mental health care, augmented and supported by secondary specialty mental health services, has the potential to optimize quality and cost goals while reinforcing health care reform principles. The flexibility of mental health treatment in this delivery structure provides opportunities to customize services according to patient and purchaser expectations.

Cultural Currents

“…While there are a number of models of such primary care and behavioral integration, one, called "primary mental health care," [44][45][46][47] is particularly useful in managing families from other cultures. The goal of this approach is to resolve problems within the primary care service context: "primary mental health" is designed to support the ongoing behavioral health interventions of the primary care provider.…”