Are you or your child exhibiting anxiety, mood problems, or sleep troubles? Are you wondering if it’s time to look for an integrated behavioral health clinic?
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all solutions to restoring mental health. Integrated approaches take an individual’s history, personality, and potential into account.
What is integrated behavioral health, and how can it support you or your child?
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Integrated Behavioral Health?
Integrated behavioral health targets mental health and stress-related physical conditions. These could include things like depression, school problems, and sleep concerns.
Behavioral health specialists can coordinate between the school, community, and medical doctors. The goal is to help bring about positive, comprehensive change.
Psychologists, social workers, and counselors will work closely with your primary care doctor. They will work to provide coordinated, cost-effective care. You may also be working with physicians such as cardiologists, neurologists, and pediatricians.
Understanding integrated behavioral health means knowing that an individual may benefit from coordination. Several specialists will work together to diagnose and treat concerns.
Treatment may include a psychiatric evaluation, medication, and behavior-based therapies. Professionals will address the behavioral and medical concerns that underlie mental health.
What Are The Benefits of Integrated Behavioral Health?
Many patients enjoy the one-stop shopping provided by integrated specialists. They can get treatment for things like mental health issues and substance abuse in a setting they are familiar with. Many may be uncomfortable about visiting a mental health facility.
Similarly, medical professionals appreciate being able to provide health care with a team. Other specialists are ready to provide expertise whenever needed.
Beyond that, patients with chronic conditions often deal with mental health concerns. It’s easier to treat their pain when behavioral issues are addressed.
Patients also find that there are financial benefits to integrating their behavioral healthcare. It can decrease overall healthcare costs and disability days.
Outcomes are also improved by integrated behavioral healthcare. Behavioral and physical health are almost always interlinked. Conditions can drive one another.
For example, someone with a chronic condition may develop a behavioral health disorder or vice versa. By addressing behavioral health, patients will find it easier to manage physical symptoms. It can decrease the likelihood of hospitalization and other expensive services.
Behavioral health integration also moves to a more patient-centered model. The doctor-patient relationship becomes stronger. A patient’s unique health needs are at the center of all medical decisions.
Doctors will see an increase in patient satisfaction. Employee morale will improve as healthcare becomes increasingly focused on the patient’s decisions.
Moving On
Integrated behavioral health is a trend that brings a patient’s overall health to the forefront. It works to coordinate all of a patient’s healthcare needs. The result is lower costs, better care, and a happier experience for everyone.
Don’t stop getting smart about your health and lifestyle now. For more great advice, read our blog today.
The result is lower costs, better care, and a happier experience for everyone.
Don’t stop getting smart about your health and lifestyle now. For more great advice, read our blog today.
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