Culture Clash in Integration of Primary, Behavioral Health Care

The dramatically differing culture of primary care and psychiatry is among the most serious barriers to the integration of the two, said Robert McCarron, M.D., of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California-Davis. He spoke yesterday on integrated care at APA’s Institute on Psychiatric Services in San Francisco. Close behind is the need to transform the way all physicians are trained. “We can change systems and programs and reimbursement schemes, but if we don’t change the way we train physicians in medical school and residency, we won’t reach the goal,” McCarron said. The presentation was part of a major Primary and Behavioral Health Integration Track at the institute. For more information on integrated care, see Psychiatric News.
  

(Image: Mark Moran)