Assessing Family Medicine Physicians' Perceptions of Integrated Behavioral Health in a Primary Care Residency

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Physicians are increasingly confronted with patients' interrelated psychosocial and physiological issues. To assist physicians in managing the psychosocial needs of patients, integrated behavioral health (IBH) has become increasingly common. This study was completed in a large, Midwestern family medicine residency program where the authors sought to (1) identify physicians' perceptions of IBH implementation and areas of needed IBH improvement, and (2) recognize educational needs to be addressed when providing behavioral health training to resident physicians. METHODS: The authors utilized a pre/post design to measure physician perception of access and quality of an integrated behavioral health program. For quantitative data, we performed standard descriptive statistics, likelihood ratio chi(2) tests, independent sample t test, and linear mixed-model analysis. For qualitative data, we completed phenomenological analysis, derived from a focus group. RESULTS: Physician satisfaction with access and quality of behavioral health services significantly improved after the implementation of the IBH (P<.01). Perception of behavioral health management also improved, including the commitment of the residency program to mental health well-being, benefit from consultations with BHPs, and physician ownership of managing patients' mental health needs. Themes from the focus group indicated a desire for increased communication with BHPs, as well as additional assessment and intervention skills to manage psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Family physicians value IBH in supporting patients' behavioral health treatment, and resident physicians hone behavioral health management skills through collaborating with BHPs and completing behavioral health training. Residencies should increase focus on teaching essential skills in behavioral health management.