Does the Primary Care Behavioral Health Model Reduce Emergency Department Visits?

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine the impact of integrating behavioral health services using the primary care behavioral health (PCBH) model on emergency department (ED) utilization.

Data sources

Utilization data from three Dane County, Wisconsin hospitals and four primary care clinics from 2003 to 2011.

Study design

We used a retrospective, quasi-experimental, controlled, pre-post study design. Starting in 2007, two clinics began integrating behavioral health into their primary care practices with a third starting in 2010. A fourth, nonimplementing, community clinic served as control. Change in emergency department and primary care utilization (number of visits) for patients diagnosed with mood and anxiety disorders was the outcomes of interest.

Data collection

Retrospecti

SUBMITTER: Serrano N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6232427 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature