Integrated Care Basics
What is integrated behavioral health care?
What is a model where behavioral health and medical providers work together to address physical, emotional, and behavioral needs.
What does BHC stand for?
Behavioral Health Consultant.
What therapy approach focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors?
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
What are common reasons patients are referred to a BHC?
What is stress, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, coping difficulties, and health behavior concerns.
Who is typically part of an integrated care team?
What is PCPs, nurses, medical assistants, psychologists/BHCs, psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals.
What model recognizes that biological, psychological, and social factors all influence health?
What is the biopsychosocial model.
What is the typical length of a BHC visit?
What is approximately 15–30 minutes.
What technique helps patients manage anxiety by focusing attention on the present moment?
What is grounding and mindfulness strategies.
What behavioral health concern frequently impacts chronic disease management?
What is difficulty with adherence, motivation, stress management, or lifestyle changes.
Why is communication between medical providers and BHCs important?
What is to coordinate treatment and provide consistent, patient-centered care.
Why is primary care an important setting for behavioral health services?
What is many patients first present to their PCP with concerns related to stress, anxiety, depression, sleep, coping, or health behaviors.
What is the purpose of a warm handoff?
What is to introduce the patient directly to the BHC and increase engagement with behavioral health services.
What approach helps patients explore ambivalence and increase motivation for change?
What is motivational Interviewing.
Why might a patient with chronic pain benefit from behavioral health support?
What is because pain is influenced by thoughts, emotions, stress, behaviors, sleep, and coping strategies.
What screening tools might be used in primary care to identify behavioral health concerns?
What is examples include PHQ-9 for depression and GAD-7 for anxiety.
What is the goal of integrated care beyond treating symptoms?
What is improving overall functioning, health outcomes, quality of life, and access to care.
What is the difference between a BHC and a traditional outpatient therapist?
What is a BHC provides brief, targeted interventions integrated into medical care, while traditional therapy often involves longer-term treatment focused on broader psychological concerns.
A patient says, “I failed my diet again, so I’m hopeless.” What CBT intervention could be used?
What is identify cognitive distortions, challenge all-or-nothing thinking, and develop more balanced thoughts.
A patient recently diagnosed with cancer reports feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. What can a BHC provide?
What is support with adjustment, coping skills, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and connection to resources.
A PCP tells a patient, “I think stress may be affecting your health. I’d like you to meet our BHC.” What technique is this?
What is a warm handoff.
A patient with hypertension, poor sleep, and increased stress sees their PCP. Why might integrated care be helpful?
What is behavioral factors such as stress, sleep, coping, and adherence can impact medical outcomes and can be addressed alongside medical treatment.
A patient says, “I don’t need therapy; I’m here for my diabetes.” How might a BHC respond?
What is normalize the connection between physical and behavioral health, explain how stress, habits, emotions, and coping influence medical conditions, and focus on the patient’s goals.
A patient wants to improve sleep but says they are “too tired to change anything.” What behavioral strategy could a BHC introduce?
What is behavioral activation, sleep hygiene education, identifying small achievable goals, and creating a structured routine.
A patient frequently visits primary care for headaches, fatigue, and stomach issues. Medical testing is normal. What should the BHC consider?
What is the interaction between stress, anxiety, somatic symptoms, coping patterns, and overall functioning.
Why does integrated care improve access to behavioral health services?
What is it reduces stigma, removes barriers, allows patients to receive support in a familiar medical setting, and reaches patients who may not seek traditional therapy.