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Research ArticleOriginal Research

Outcomes of Integrated Behavioral Health with Primary Care

Bijal A. Balasubramanian, Deborah J. Cohen, Katelyn K. Jetelina, L. Miriam Dickinson, Melinda Davis, Rose Gunn, Kris Gowen, Frank V. deGruy, Benjamin F. Miller and Larry A. Green
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine March 2017, 30 (2) 130-139; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2017.02.160234
Bijal A. Balasubramanian
From the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX (BAB, KKJ); the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (DJC, MD, RG, KG); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (LMD, FVdG, BFM, LAG).
MBBS, PhD
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Deborah J. Cohen
From the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX (BAB, KKJ); the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (DJC, MD, RG, KG); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (LMD, FVdG, BFM, LAG).
PhD
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Katelyn K. Jetelina
From the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX (BAB, KKJ); the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (DJC, MD, RG, KG); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (LMD, FVdG, BFM, LAG).
MPH, PhD
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L. Miriam Dickinson
From the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX (BAB, KKJ); the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (DJC, MD, RG, KG); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (LMD, FVdG, BFM, LAG).
PhD
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Melinda Davis
From the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX (BAB, KKJ); the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (DJC, MD, RG, KG); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (LMD, FVdG, BFM, LAG).
PhD
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Rose Gunn
From the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX (BAB, KKJ); the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (DJC, MD, RG, KG); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (LMD, FVdG, BFM, LAG).
MA
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Kris Gowen
From the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX (BAB, KKJ); the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (DJC, MD, RG, KG); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (LMD, FVdG, BFM, LAG).
PhD
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Frank V. deGruy III
From the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX (BAB, KKJ); the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (DJC, MD, RG, KG); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (LMD, FVdG, BFM, LAG).
MD, MSFM
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Benjamin F. Miller
From the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX (BAB, KKJ); the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (DJC, MD, RG, KG); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (LMD, FVdG, BFM, LAG).
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Larry A. Green
From the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, TX (BAB, KKJ); the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (DJC, MD, RG, KG); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (LMD, FVdG, BFM, LAG).
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Abstract

Background: Integrating behavioral health and primary care is beneficial to patients and health systems. However, for integration to be widely adopted, studies demonstrating its benefits in community practices are needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of integrated care, adapted to local contexts, on depression severity and patients' experience of care.

Methods: This study used a convergent mixed-methods design, merging findings from a quasi-experimental study with patient interviews conducted as part of Advancing Care Together, a community demonstration project that created an innovation incubator for practices implementing evidence-based integration strategies. The study included 475 patients with a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score ≥10 at baseline, from 5 practices.

Results: Statistically significant reductions in mean PHQ-9 scores were observed in all practices, ranging from 2.72 to 6.46 points. Clinically, 50% of patients had a ≥5-point reduction in PHQ-9 score and 32% had a ≥50% reduction. This finding was corroborated by patient interviews that demonstrated positive experiences with behavioral health clinicians and acquiring new skills to cope with adverse situations at work and home.

Conclusions: Integrating behavioral health and primary care, when adapted to fit into community practices, reduced depression severity and enhanced patients' experience of care. Integration is a worthwhile investment; clinical leaders, policymakers, and payers should support integration in their communities.

  • Behavioral Medicine
  • Community Health Services
  • Depression
  • Integrated Health Care Systems
  • Primary Health Care
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
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The Journal of the American Board of Family     Medicine: 30 (2)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Vol. 30, Issue 2
March-April 2017
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Outcomes of Integrated Behavioral Health with Primary Care
Bijal A. Balasubramanian, Deborah J. Cohen, Katelyn K. Jetelina, L. Miriam Dickinson, Melinda Davis, Rose Gunn, Kris Gowen, Frank V. deGruy, Benjamin F. Miller, Larry A. Green
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Mar 2017, 30 (2) 130-139; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2017.02.160234

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Outcomes of Integrated Behavioral Health with Primary Care
Bijal A. Balasubramanian, Deborah J. Cohen, Katelyn K. Jetelina, L. Miriam Dickinson, Melinda Davis, Rose Gunn, Kris Gowen, Frank V. deGruy, Benjamin F. Miller, Larry A. Green
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Mar 2017, 30 (2) 130-139; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2017.02.160234
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  • Behavioral Medicine
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  • Depression
  • Integrated Health Care Systems
  • Primary Health Care
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

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