What are patient outcomes? How do patient outcomes affect the role of a behavioral health provider in a medical setting?
Developing a definition of patient outcomes is becoming critical (patient vs provider) to our collective futures. Healthcare systems and physicians are being asked to transition from fee-for-service payments to managing overall patient quality, cost, and outcomes
In Mutschler et al., (2022) patient outcomes are achieved by providing holistic care of the patient, as well as treatment of the underlying disease. There are four different models of patient care: Total Patient Care, Primary Care, Patient-Centered Care, and Team Nursing. Essential elements for implementation within the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains, include clear role definition, a flexible organizational culture, and education for peer and non-peer staff (Mutschler et al., 2022).
Patient-reported outcomes are used to assess outcomes from the patients’/subjects’ perspective, including perceptions, symptoms, satisfaction with treatment, adherence to prescribed regimens. Patient outcomes affect the role of BHPs in medical settings that identify chief complaints, associated somatic and psychological symptoms, functional impairment, and safety concerns (Segen Medical, 2022).
Ward et al., (2016) asserts that a key rolefor behavioralhealthproviders in the primary care setting is to identify and treat psychiatric conditions. Because primary care providers typically have little training in assessing and managing psychiatric conditions, they may experience discomfort in collaborating with patients with psychiatric co-morbidities. In addition, the challenges associated with treatment of psychiatric disorders, unidentified or untreated mental illness can impact overall care, and may be associated with multiple visits for medically unexplained, yet debilitating, somatic symptoms.
Incorporating behavioralhealthproviders into primary care teams yields opportunities for interdisciplinary cross-training (Ward, et al., 2016). Integrated behavioral health services have positive outcomes for patients and providers, but little is known about providers’ perspectives on implementing these services (Rodriguez et al., 2019).
References
Mutschler, C., Bellamy, C., Davidson, L., Lichtenstein, S., & Kidd, S. (2022). Implementation of peer support in mental health services: A systematic review of the literature. Psychological Services, 19(2), 360–374. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000531
Rodríguez, E. M., Gulbas, L. E., George-Jones, J., Leija, A., Burrows, D., & Neavel, C. (2019). Interdisciplinary perspectives on an integrated behavioral health model of psychiatry in pediatric primary care: A community-based participatory research study. Community Mental Health Journal, 55(4), 569–577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-018-0330-0
Segen Medical Dictionary. (2022). Patient reported outcomes-An overview. Science Direct. https:// segenmedicaldictionary.com/patient-reported-outcomes.
Ward, M. C., Miller, B. F., Marconi, V. C., Kaslow, N. J., & Farber, E. W. (2016). The role of behavioral health in optimizing care for complex patients in the primary care setting. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 31(3), 265–267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-015-3499-8
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