Navigating Psychosocial Challenges in Primary Care with an Integrated Behavioral Health Model

Research has demonstrated that physical health outcomes are often related to behavioral health outcomes. Integrated behavioral health models, particularly in primary care settings, help bridge gaps in care by linking the treatment of physical and emotional problems together. Social workers are a key part of the primary care treatment team because they are trained to assess patients within the full context of their biopsychosocial and spiritual needs. The following article explores the ways in which social workers can engage in integrated behavioral health models as an adaptive healthcare practice, the common healthcare challenges social workers face, and suggested interventions in integrated settings. Implications for practice are discussed including the necessary skills and background social workers in these settings should have, the need to further expand the social work workforce in integrated healthcare, and the role of social workers in the continued development and evaluation of integrated models.