Psychologists in integrated health care: Pediatric primary care

Summary

The transcript highlights an integrated healthcare model where Nemours Health System in Delaware provides comprehensive services, including psychology, within pediatric primary care. This approach eliminates barriers to mental health care by offering immediate, on-site interventions. Experts like Dr. Kevin Sheahan, Jennifer Shroff-Pendley, and others discuss the benefits of working together across disciplines, with psychologists embedded in pediatric practices. This collaboration enhances service delivery, reduces stigma, and creates a holistic, coordinated care environment for children. The integration not only improves outcomes but also fosters stronger patient-provider relationships and ensures better care for underserved communities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nemours is a multi-state integrated health system, with a focus on pediatric care in Delaware, providing services to about a quarter of the state's children.
• 😀 Psychologists are integrated into Nemours' 10 primary care sites, reducing barriers to mental health care and improving access for families.
• 😀 Patients benefit from a comprehensive range of services, including behavioral health, in the same location as their primary care, making the process more convenient.
• 😀 The integration of behavioral health services in primary care practices improves the experience for both healthcare providers and patients.
• 😀 Real-time consultations between pediatricians and psychologists allow for more effective, immediate intervention for behavioral health issues.
• 😀 The model reduces the stigma associated with seeking mental health care, as it is provided within the familiar setting of a primary care office.
• 😀 The integrated approach fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals, allowing for better communication and coordination in patient care.
• 😀 Healthcare providers from different disciplines, including pediatricians, psychologists, residents, and students, all benefit from mutual learning and knowledge exchange.
• 😀 The integrated care model ensures more holistic treatment by addressing both physical and mental health needs simultaneously, such as for ADHD patients.
• 😀 Families appreciate the convenience of having all their care providers in one location, reducing the need for multiple appointments and fostering a stronger sense of trust in the care team.

Q & A

What is the primary mission of Nemours as mentioned in the transcript?

Nemours is a multi-state integrated health system focused on providing care to children, with its main hospital, A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Delaware, serving about a quarter of the state's children.

How does Nemours integrate psychologists into its primary care model?

Nemours has psychologists in all its primary care sites across Delaware. This integration allows for immediate behavioral health services alongside regular medical care, reducing barriers to care and improving patient outcomes.

What benefits have been reported from integrating psychologists into primary care practices?

The integration has been a positive experience for both patients and practitioners. Patients appreciate the convenience of having psychological services available in their primary care setting, while clinicians benefit from seamless collaboration and enhanced patient care.

What role does psychology play in Nemours’ pediatric care model?

Psychology plays a crucial role by being integrated directly into the pediatric care model, helping with behavioral health issues such as ADHD, and offering consultations and interventions in real time within the same medical setting.

How does the integration of behavioral health and primary care improve patient care?

The integration allows for a more seamless and efficient service, where primary care physicians and psychologists can collaborate easily, share notes via EMR, and provide a more comprehensive treatment plan without delays or miscommunication.

What is the significance of curbside consultations between pediatricians and psychologists?

Curbside consultations enable pediatricians to consult with psychologists in real time, between patient appointments, enhancing the immediacy and relevance of behavioral health interventions.

Why do psychologists in the integrated care model often visit patient rooms?

Psychologists visit patient rooms to discuss cases directly with other clinicians, ensuring real-time collaboration and better coordination of care, especially in cases like ADHD.

How does the presence of psychologists in primary care settings reduce stigma around mental health?

By integrating psychological services directly into the pediatric care environment, patients and families become more comfortable seeking mental health support, as it feels like a natural part of the care they are already receiving.

What is the impact of Nemours' integrated care model on families?

Families benefit from coordinated care where all providers work together, avoiding conflicting advice and ensuring a smoother, more effective treatment process. Families appreciate the familiarity and trust they have in the providers, making it easier for them to access needed services.

How does the integrated care model at Nemours help address unmet behavioral and developmental needs in children?

The model provides a comprehensive approach where pediatricians and psychologists collaborate closely, ensuring that children’s behavioral and developmental needs are identified and addressed in a timely and effective manner within the same setting.