Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112678

Edward Haaz, MEd, CAC, President, M.H. Consultants, Inc., 1878 Sugar Bottom Road, Furlong, PA 18925 and Charles Williams, CEAP, CPP, MHS, SAMHSA, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Room 4-1105, 1 Choke Cherry Rd., Rockville, MD 20857, 240-276-2567, charlie.williams@samhsa.hhs.gov.

Most people in our society visit their Primary Care Physician for ailments linked to mental health and substance abuse issues. When meeting with their PCP, they are unusually open to suggestions and courses of actions. Research shows that a brief intervention regarding behavior change and healthy choices will result in some degree of action, by the patient. However, research also shows that health care professionals are reticent, at best, to screen for these problems, let alone intervene. Most health care professionals feel untrained and unable, due to time and financial pressures, to be proactive.

Even when a patient is successfully “referred out” to a mental health practitioner, the likelihood of feedback to and from the Primary Care Physician's (PCP) office is unlikely. In practice, the Descartes theory of the separateness of mind and body still prevails within our health care delivery system. Most PCPs do not feel equipped to address mental health and/or substance abuse problems, do not believe that interventions are successful or worthwhile, do not feel an alliance with behavioral health care professionals, and or have experienced the “abyss” when referring in to the mental health system. On the other side of the paradigm, the mental health/substance abuse professional feels frustrated by a lack of communication and cooperation by the PCP. There is often a PCP whom will prescribe mood altering prescription drugs to patients whom are under the care of a behavioral health specialist. The result is professional triangulation, disconnect and/or patient mismanagement.

Learning Objectives:

• To acquaint the PCP and support staff with at least three screening tools that will be useful in identifying patients with behavioral health problems;
• To provide communication skills necessary to maintain a “seamless” relationship between behavioral health providers and PCPs; and
• To develop case management skills that will shift some degree of responsibility to the patient and their support system.

Keywords: Service Integration, Mental Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF Federal Government employee.