Prevalence and predictors of team-based care activities between primary care providers and embedded behavioral health providers: a national survey.

Funderburk JS, Gass JC, Wray JM, Shepardson RL. Prevalence and predictors of team-based care activities between primary care providers and embedded behavioral health providers: a national survey. Journal of Interprofessional Care. 2022 Jan 3; 37(1):58-65.

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Abstract:

Primary care (PC) settings increasingly use team-based care activities with embedded behavioral health providers (BHPs) to enhance patient care via group medical visits, conjoint appointments, team huddles, and warm handoffs. Aim 1 was to describe the variation of team-based care activities within integrated PC clinics. Aim 2 was to explore whether factors associated with the BHP (e.g., gender, training, and experience) and the PC setting (e.g., perceived teamwork) predict engagement in team-based activities. A national sample of eligible BHPs ( =  345; 14.2% response rate) completed an anonymous survey assessing the presence/intensity of team-based care activities. 90% of BHPs reported regularly engaging in team-based care activities with PC teams. Most engagement occurred when providing feedback to PC providers (90.4% at least daily) and during warm handoffs (90.4% at least once daily). Engagement in team-based care was predicted by the level of teamwork occurring within the PC clinic ( s  =  .41-.47; s <  .001) and BHP characteristics, such as the number of years spent in PC ( s  =  .24-.26, s <  .001). Although these data are promising, with many BHPs reportedly engaging in team-based activities with PC teams, there is significant variation. Researchers should continue to explore whether the engagement in these team-based care activities enhances patient care.