Certain characteristics could determine the likelihood of a primary care provider collaborating with behavioral health professionals, according to a study published in the March edition of Annals of Family Medicine.
The study was conducted by researchers from the American Board of Family Medicine and the University of Washington in Seattle. It pulled data from 25,222 respondents of the Continuing Certification Examination Registration Questionnaire conducted by ABFM from 2017 to 2021.
The study aimed to identify characteristics of increased odds of collaboration with behavioral health providers to increase integration of behavioral health into primary care.
The study found that almost 40 percent of physicians reported working in collaboration with behavioral health professionals. The strongest practice characteristic was working at a federal practice site, with independent practices being the least likely to integrate behavioral health services.
The study also found that female physicians and those working as core/faculty members were most likely to work alongside behavioral health providers. Meanwhile, physicians in the Southern United States were less likely to do so.