The Affordable Care Act and integrated behavioral health programs in community health centers to promote utilization of mental health services among Asian Americans

Abstract

The Affordable Care Act has greatly expanded health care coverage and recognizes mental health as a major priority. However, individuals suffering from mental health disorders still face layered barriers to receiving health care, especially Asian Americans. Integration of behavioral health services within primary care is a viable way of addressing underutilization of mental health services. This paper provides insight into a comprehensive care approach integrating behavioral health services into primary care to address underutilization of mental health services in the Asian American population. True integration of behavioral health services into primary care will require financial support and payment reform to address multi-disciplinary care needs and optimize care coordination, as well as training and workforce development early in medical and mental health training programs to develop the skills that aid prevention, early identification, and intervention. Funding research on evidence-based practice oriented to the Asian American population needs to continue.

Nursing Research on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Based on Continuous Nursing Care

“…Continuing care takes personalized nursing measures to cultivate their independent ability by strengthening the maintenance of the relationship between medical staff and patients and the integration of medical services [24]. Learn self-care and self-care in daily life, enhance their self-confidence to maximize their physical and mental state, reduce dependence on family members and excessive use of medical resources, and the quality of life will also improve [26][27][28].…”

Prescriptive authority: Psychologists’ abridged training relative to other professions’ training.

“…For example, integrating (cf. coordinated care, co-located care; see Heath, Wise Romero, & Reynolds, 2013) psychologists in health-care settings, without psychologist prescribing, can yield meaningful benefits: (a) counteracting underutilization of mental health services (Huang, Fong, Duong, & Quach, 2016); (b) implementing evidence-based practices across disciplines; and (c) integrating funding, resource sharing, and billing.…”

Understanding ADHD in AAPI College Students: Prevalence, Comorbidities, Impairments, and Treatment Utilization

“…Finally, integrated behavioral healthcare settings are particularly well suited to address the underutilization of mental health services among AAPIs (Huang et al, 2016). Mental health stigma is a likely contributor to negative attitudes, feelings of shame, and avoidance of professional mental health service providers (Kim & Zane, 2016).…”

“…Mental health stigma is a likely contributor to negative attitudes, feelings of shame, and avoidance of professional mental health service providers (Kim & Zane, 2016). By meeting AAPI patient preferences to seek help from medical providers (Chu et al, 2011), integrated settings can encourage earlier engagement with mental health treatment (Huang et al, 2016). Furthermore, integrated healthcare settings recognize the interconnection between the mind and body, a concept culturally relevant to many AAPIs (Leung et al, 2009), and may be suited for cultural adaptation.…”