Is the Far West Mental Health Integration Project Making a Difference? The General Practitioner Perspective

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Perkins ◽  
David Lyle

This paper reports on the evaluation of an Australian Government and NSW State funded Mental Health Integration Project in remote far western NSW. The project was part of the Mental Health Integration Program, developed from the Second National Mental Health Plan. The project implemented a model of community-based mental health services and used innovative financing arrangements to allow the provision of community-based specialist mental health teams to remote communities and to recruit visiting psychiatrists to support the local primary care providers. The evaluation strategy included a survey of general practitioners (GPs) in the Upper Western Sector and Broken Hill, designed to investigate their level and type of contact with psychiatrists and community-based specialist mental health care teams, their perceptions about the impact of the new services, and their interest in further professional development in mental health care.The project has shown that visiting specialists can be deployed in a primary care setting with a focus on meeting the needs of local GPs, primary health care staff and their patients.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A294-A294
Author(s):  
Ivan Vargas ◽  
Alexandria Muench ◽  
Mark Seewald ◽  
Cecilia Livesey ◽  
Matthew Press ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Past epidemiological research indicates that insomnia and depression are both highly prevalent and tend to co-occur in the general population. The present study further assesses this association by estimating: (1) the concurrence rates of insomnia and depression in outpatients referred by their primary care providers for mental health care; and (2) whether the association between depression and insomnia varies by insomnia subtype (initial, middle, and late). Methods Data were collected from 3,174 patients (mean age=42.7; 74% women; 50% Black) who were referred to the integrated care program for assessment of mental health symptoms (2018–2020). All patients completed an Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) during their evaluations. Total scores for the ISI and PHQ-9 were computed. These scores were used to categorize patients into diagnostic groups for insomnia (no-insomnia [ISI < 8], subthreshold-insomnia [ISI 8–14], and clinically-significant-insomnia [ISI>14]) and depression (no-depression [PHQ-914]). Items 1–3 of the ISI were also used to assess the association between depression and subtypes of insomnia. Results Rates of insomnia were as follows: 34.6% for subthreshold-insomnia, 35.5% for clinically-significant insomnia, and 28.9% for mild-depression and 26.9% for clinically-significant-depression. 92% of patients with clinically significant depression reported at least subthreshold levels of insomnia. While the majority of patients with clinical depression reported having insomnia, the proportion of patients that endorsed these symptoms were comparable across insomnia subtypes (percent by subtype: initial insomnia 63%; middle insomnia 61%; late insomnia 59%). Conclusion According to these data, the proportion of outpatients referred for mental health evaluations that endorse treatable levels of insomnia is very high (approximately 70%). This naturally gives rise to at least two questions: how will such symptomatology be addressed (within primary or specialty care) and what affect might targeted treatment for insomnia have on health were it a focus of treatment in general? Support (if any) Vargas: K23HL141581; Perlis: K24AG055602



2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Gaylord ◽  
S. Kathleen Bailey ◽  
John M. Haggarty

This study describes a shared mental health care (SMHC) model introduced in Northern Ontario and examines how its introduction affected primary care provider (PCP) mental health referral patterns. A chart review examined referrals (N = 4,600) from 5 PCP sites to 5 outpatient community mental health services from January 2001 to December 2005. PCPs with access to SMHC made significantly more mental health referrals (p < 0.001). Two demographically similar PCPs were then compared, one co-located with SMHC. Referrals for depression to non-SMHC mental health services were 1.69 times more likely to be from the PCP not co-located with SMHC (p < 0.001). Findings suggest SMHC increases access to care and decreases demand on existing mental health services.



2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne D. Bentham ◽  
Anna Ratzliff ◽  
David Harrison ◽  
Ya-Fen Chan ◽  
Steven Vannoy ◽  
...  


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 33-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Kates

For 20 years mental health and primary care providers across Canada have been working collaboratively together to improve access to care, provider skills, and patient experience. The new strategic plan of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) offers many opportunities for collaborative care to play a role in the transformation of Canada’s mental health systems. To assist the plan, this paper presents principles underlying successful projects and ways that mental health and primary care services can work together more collaboratively, including integrating mental health providers in primary care. It integrates these concepts into a Canadian Model for Collaborative Mental Health Care that can guide future expansion of these approaches, and suggests ways in which better collaboration can address wider issues facing all of Canada’s health care systems.



2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy D. Burka ◽  
Susan N. Van Cleve ◽  
Sheree Shafer ◽  
Jennifer L. Barkin


Author(s):  
Srijana Shrestha

Despite high rates of mental illnesses, older adults face multiple barriers in accessing mental health care. Primary care clinics, and home- and community-based senior-serving agencies are settings where older adults routinely receive medical care and social services. Therefore, integration of mental health care with existing service delivery systems can improve access to mental health services and reduce the unmet mental health needs of seniors. Evidence suggests that with innovative components mental health provided in collaboration with primary care providers with or without co-location within primary care clinics can improve depression and anxiety. Home-based models for depression care are also effective, but more research is needed in examining home-based approaches in late-life anxiety treatment. It is noteworthy that integrative models are particularly helpful in expanding the reach in underserved communities: elders from minority and low-income backgrounds and homebound seniors.



2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Katharina Speck ◽  
Shelley L Wall

BACKGROUND There is a large gap in educational and training resources on trans-sensitive care in health professional curricula. In-person continuing medical education training sessions are often limited by time, place, and instructor availability. Web-based technologies offer the potential to easily reach primary care providers across the province. However, existing online training resources are lengthy in content, lack visual communication strategies, and do not encompass the multitude of different transition options sought by trans individuals. OBJECTIVE This article describes a community-based, participatory approach to the design and development of a web-based, illustrated resource guide with non-sequential access to medical and basic care protocols and guidelines to improve primary care providers' knowledge and confidence in caring for trans clients. METHODS The design and development of the Trans Primary Care Guide was informed by a participatory design research strategy focused on iterative improvement of the resource through iterative review by an advisory committee, formative evaluations with trans participants and primary care providers, and usability testing. RESULTS A web-based, illustrated resource (Trans Primary Care Guide) was developed to educate primary care providers on the health care needs of trans and gender-diverse people. CONCLUSIONS Successful implementation of the web-based resource was in part due to the utilization of design strategies to help primary care providers contextualize trans-competencies, the community-academic partnership and due to the early engagement of trans participants to ensure that information is gender affirming and culturally specific to regional community needs. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable.



2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather J. Rowe ◽  
Sara Holton ◽  
Jane R. W. Fisher

Australian health policy emphasises prevention, early intervention and improved pathways to treatment for perinatal mental disorders. Primary care is vital to achieving these aims. The aim of this study was to understand the anticipated needs and preferred sources of mental health information and support of men and women expecting their first baby. Nulliparous English-speaking expectant parents attending childbirth education programs in public and private hospitals participated in single sex small group discussions in late pregnancy. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically using the group as the unit of analysis. Eight groups (22 women; 16 men) encompassing diverse socioeconomic circumstances were conducted. Analyses showed idealised fantasies consistently tempered with realistic expectations about adjustment to life with a baby. However, there were diverse and gendered views about whether primary care providers should discuss mental health with parents of infants and willingness to complete written questionnaires or be referred for specialist mental health care. Men regard primary family care as mother not father inclusive. Expectant parents readily anticipate realistic postnatal adjustment and need for emotional support. Increased provision of services that meet men’s needs and public understanding and acceptance of Australian integrated models of primary postnatal mental health care are needed.



2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela T. DeFrino ◽  
Monika Marko-Holguin ◽  
Stephanie Cordel ◽  
Lauren Anker ◽  
Melishia Bansa ◽  
...  

Disclosing predepression feelings of sadness is difficult for teens. Primary care providers are a potential avenue for teens to disclose these feelings and a bridge to mental health care before becoming more seriously ill. To explore how to more effectively recruit teens into a primary care-based, online depression prevention study, we held 5 focus groups with African American and Latino teens (n = 43) from a large Midwestern city. We conducted constant comparative analysis of the data and a theoretical conceptualization of coping and disclosure emerged. Our analysis revealed an internal coping continuum in reaction to sadness and pivotal elements of trust and judgment that either lead teens to disclose or not disclose these feelings. The teens’ perspectives show the necessary characteristics of a relationship and comfortable community and virtual settings that can best allow for teens to take the step of disclosing to receive mental health care services.



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