Remote Screening, Diagnosis, and Guidance Improves the Ability of Primary Care Practices to Detect and Arrange Treatment for Mental Health Problems

Remote Screening, Diagnosis, and Guidance Improves the Ability of Primary Care Practices to Detect and Arrange Treatment for Mental Health Problems

Snapshot
Summary
A mental health clinical assessment service provides remote (telephone-based) screening, diagnosis, and clinical guidance for patients seen in primary care practices who have or are suspected of having mental health or substance abuse problems. In a Veterans Affairs primary care clinic, the system significantly increased the screening and identification of patients needing mental health or substance abuse services, thus enhancing the ability to refer these patients to the care they need.

See Results sections for new outcomes regarding patient engagement rates as a result of implementation of the Behavioral Health Laboratory Model and the Use By Other Organizations sections for information about a statewide demonstration in Pennsylvania for frail elderly patients (updated November 2009).

Evidence Rating
Moderate: The evidence consists of a before-and-after comparison of key outcome measures, including number of patients screened and number of patients screening positive.

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AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Remote Screening, Diagnosis, and Guidance Improves the Ability of Primary Care Practices to Detect and Arrange Treatment for Mental Health Problems