Evaluation of the Integrated Primary Care Clinic Into Behavioral Care Setting

OBJECTIVE: The study has aimed to explore the process, outcomes of primary care, and barriers that make the primary care access difficult for the patients.

DESIGN & SETTING: The study has utilized quantitative and qualitative approach and collected data from the clinic and patients. Patient survey was conducted to ask the patients about the possible reasons, which prevent them from accessing primary care services in the past.

RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 46 years, among which majority (65%) were males. The results showed that education was the significant factor in determining the health status of a specific population. The clinic was successfully integrated into the behavioral health care setting. Many patients had been enrolled in the clinic for the first time with the help of a care manager that facilitated the identification of those patients. Most commonly, transportation was the main barrier for those populations for not seeking the primary care services. Emergency department use significantly declined after the implementation of the new model that reduced the cost of health services dramatically in a short period of time i.e. 6 months.

CONCLUSION: There are susceptical gaps within the fragmented care due to high rates of physical health conditions. Majority of the patients in the study sample were satisfied with the new model; therefore, the new model was termed as effective and efficient.