VIDEO: Updates on integrated behavioral health

ORLANDO — During her talk at the Osteopathic Medical Education Conference, Anne C. Jones, DO, MPH, highlighted recent evidence supporting the integration of behavioral health in primary care.

The literature has “really emphasized the importance of the biopsychosocial model” — incorporating the biological, psychological and social aspects of health — “which is something that we as osteopathic physicians have done all throughout our practice,” Jones told Healio.

“Yet, from a systems level, what’s very important is also to make sure that we have the systems in place in our practices to support our care of the whole patient and whole person,” said Jones, an assistant professor of family medicine at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine in New Jersey.

Jones also discussed key models of integrated behavioral health, like the primary care behavioral health model.

For these models to work, “a key factor that’s needed is start-up funding and a commitment to change at the outset of this implementation to make it successful,” she said.

Reference:

• Jones A. Integrated behavioral health in primary care: A review of evidence and recommendations for office practice. Presented at: OMED; Oct. 6-8, 2023 (hybrid meeting).