Brief highlights value of integrating physical, behavioral health services

Integrating physical and behavioral health care services can help hospitals and health systems overcome patient barriers to accessing behavioral health services while improving outcomes and value, according to a new brief from AHA’s The Value Initiative. Integration can take various forms based on provider, patient and community needs, but key components include co-location of providers, team-based approaches, patient-centered care and care management, the brief notes. Virtual integration through telebehavioral health can help in areas with shortages of behavioral health professionals. The brief provides examples from specific hospitals and health systems and links to a number of additional AHA behavioral health resources.