Primary health care often serves as the entry point into a comprehensive health system and is frequently the pathway through which patients access behavioral health services. For underserved and rural communities that face limited availability of behavioral health care, telehealth can create meaningful opportunities to close gaps in access. A continuing challenge is determining how to optimize the integration of behavioral health services within primary care so that patients and communities receive the greatest benefit.
Building on the success of nationally implemented common data models in health systems, RTRC developed a protocol to examine the real-world implementation of behavioral health integration in primary care settings. This protocol uses a comparative effectiveness research design that analyzes data from 26 HRSA and OAT grantees, relying on a standardized set of common data elements and validated clinical outcome measures.
Please click HERE to read the brief.