How they are making it work: Behavioral health consultant perspectives on the integration of behavioral health into primary care.

Key Points

• This research focuses on the integration of behavioral health into primary care from the perspective of behavioral health consultants.
• Explored perspectives of behavioral health consultants on integration practices.
• Analyzed the current educational needs for future physicians in integrated behavioral health.
• Identified the ambiguities in the role of behavioral health consultants.
• Consultants emphasize a need for a paradigm shift in how behavioral and biomedical health are viewed.
• Advocacy for early and continuing education in integrated behavioral health for physicians.
• Recommendations to clarify the role of behavioral health consultants to enhance care integration.