Integrating MH, Medical Care Yields Better Care, Lowers Costs

Integrating primary medical care and mental health services for psychiatric patients was shown to improve overall medical care, reduce use of the emergency department, and facilitate compliance with psychiatric treatment, according to a presentation APA's Institute on Psychiatric Services now occurring in San Francisco. David Estes, M.D., an internist, discussed his work as a primary care clinician in a colocated Behavioral Health Primary Care Clinic at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn. An in-depth report of the session, part of special track on integrated care, will appear in Psychiatric News. For information on integrated care, see Integrated-Care Movement Rapidly Gaining Momentum.

(Image: Mark Moran)