How Psychologists Can Benefit Your Practice

Family medicine physicians are often the first point of contact for addressing behavioral health concerns. Integrated care models aim to break down barriers between medical and behavioral health providers, offering physicians and their patients easier access to specialized care. Psychologists are valuable allies in these models, contributing through:

• Timely Consults: Providing quick insights and recommendations to address behavioral health needs.
• Warm/Hot Handoffs: Seamlessly connecting patients to behavioral health services during or after their medical appointments.
• Clinical Education: Offering guidance and training to enhance understanding of psychological issues.
• Accessible Referrals: Facilitating connections to specialized mental health care.

Learn more about integrated care and its benefits through this link, which includes an informative chart detailing the levels of integrated care and how psychologists can elevate your patient care.

—Julie Radico, PsyD, ABPP on behalf of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association’s Integrated Care Committee

Resources

Flyers

• The Benefits of Working with a Psychologist
• A Psychologist Integrated or Collocated in Your Practice Can Help You Identify and Assess Depressed Patients

Additional Resource Links

• American Psychological Association (APA), Integrated Health Care
• SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions (CIHS)
• The Health Psychologist: Newsletter for APA Division 38: Society for Health Psychology

Partnering with psychologists in integrated care models can improve patient outcomes and enhance the overall quality of care in your practice.