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Table 2 Organizational concepts related to coordination between primary care and mental health

From: How personal and standardized coordination impact implementation of integrated care

Organizational Concept

Definition

Potential Impact on Integrated Care

Physical proximity

Distance between the offices of primary care and mental health providers

Promote staff engagement and curbside consults by increasing familiarity

Interaction history

The degree to which primary care and mental health providers have established cooperative relationships

Facilitate curbside consults and same-day access when physical proximity is not present.

Formal meetings

Inclusion of mental health providers in regularly scheduled primary care meetings

Promote staff engagement by increasing familiarity and communicate regarding patient treatment status

Computer-mediated Communication

Use of an “additional signer” process to communicate between providers.

Communicate regarding patient treatment status

Leadership priorities

Differences in mission and values between primary care and mental health

Limit integration of referral processes

Training

Training to standardize referral procedures Training to standardize skills that support interactions between primary care and mental health

Tailor referrals to needs of both primary care and mental health Increase flexibility in standardized procedures by increasing the number of staff who can complete tasks related to integrated care

Unscheduled time

Time slots left open for unanticipated patient needs

Flexibility in standardized procedures allows for curbside consults and same-day access