A MODEL FOR PSYCHIATRIC-SERVICES IN PRIMARY-CARE SETTINGS

The integration of mental health care and primary medical cafe enhance s the quality of patient care and may improve the overall cost-effecti veness of a health care system, The authors describe implementation of a program that provides mental health care at 12 locations in a netwo rk of primary cafe sites associated with a university affiliated commu nity hospital in Rochester, New York. A project of the hospital's depa rtment of psychiatry; the program has as its goals improved recognitio n, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health problems and education of primary care providers in these areas, Each of the program's three pr imary therapists provide short-term, symptom-focused individual, marit al, family, and group therapies and case consultation at several prima ry care sites, The program director, a psychiatrist, makes diagnostic assessments and provides medication consultation to both the primary t herapists and the primary care physicians. The authors discuss the adv antages and disadvantages of the program model and plans for its futur e development.