Brief ReportPolicy Brief
Family Physicians Are Essential for Mental Health Care Delivery
Imam M. Xierali, Sebastian T. Tong, Stephen M. Petterson, James C. Puffer, Robert L. Phillips and Andrew W. Bazemore
The Journal of the American Board of Family
Medicine March 2013, 26 (2) 114-115; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2013.02.120219
Imam M. Xierali
From The Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC (IMX); The Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care, Washington, DC (SMP, AWB); the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency, Lawrence, MA (STT); and the American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, KY (JCP, RLP).
PhDSebastian T. Tong
From The Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC (IMX); The Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care, Washington, DC (SMP, AWB); the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency, Lawrence, MA (STT); and the American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, KY (JCP, RLP).
MD, MPHStephen M. Petterson
From The Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC (IMX); The Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care, Washington, DC (SMP, AWB); the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency, Lawrence, MA (STT); and the American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, KY (JCP, RLP).
PhDJames C. Puffer
From The Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC (IMX); The Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care, Washington, DC (SMP, AWB); the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency, Lawrence, MA (STT); and the American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, KY (JCP, RLP).
MDRobert L. Phillips Jr.
From The Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC (IMX); The Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care, Washington, DC (SMP, AWB); the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency, Lawrence, MA (STT); and the American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, KY (JCP, RLP).
MD, MSPHAndrew W. Bazemore
From The Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC (IMX); The Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care, Washington, DC (SMP, AWB); the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency, Lawrence, MA (STT); and the American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, KY (JCP, RLP).
MD, MPHAbstract
As the largest and most widely distributed of primary care physicians, family physicians have an important role in providing mental health care, especially in rural and underserved areas. However, the proportion of family physicians who report providing mental health care is low. Policy barriers such as payment for mental health services should be explored to ensure access to mental health care for patients across the urban to rural continuum.
In this issue
Family Physicians Are Essential for Mental Health Care Delivery
Imam M. Xierali, Sebastian T. Tong, Stephen M. Petterson, James C. Puffer, Robert L. Phillips, Andrew W. Bazemore
The Journal of the American Board of Family
Medicine Mar 2013, 26 (2) 114-115; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2013.02.120219