ABSTRACT
Providing effective healthy behavior change interventions within primary care presents numerous challenges. Obesity, tobacco use, and sedentary lifestyle negatively impact the health quality of numerous medical patients, particularly in underserved patient populations with limited resources. Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) models, which incorporate a Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC), can offer point-of-contact psychological consultation, treatment, and also provide opportunities for interdisciplinary psychologist-physician clinical partnerships to pair a BHC's health behavior change expertise with the physician's medical care. Such models can also enhance medical training programs by providing resident physicians with live, case-based learning opportunities when partnered with a BHC to address patient health behaviors. We will describe the development, implementation, and preliminary outcomes of a PCBH psychologist-physician interdisciplinary health behavior change clinic within a Family Medicine residency program. Patient outcomes revealed significant reductions (p < .01) in weight, BMI, and tobacco use. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Subject(s)
Primary Health Care , Psychiatry , Humans , Health Behavior , Models, TheoreticalABSTRACT
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the few mental disorders in which the cause is readily identifiable. In this article, we review the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria, prevalence, and presentation of patients with PTSD in primary care. The purpose of this article is to review current literature regarding theory, etiology, and treatment effectiveness. Key findings in terms of neurobiological underpinnings with implications for future treatment are discussed. Recommendations regarding effective psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, emerging treatment, and management issues in primary care settings are offered.
