As a family medicine resident, I have the opportunity to
care for the poor and underinsured within a supervised environment. I learn to complete the insurance paperwork,
disability evaluations, electronic documentation, and refill requests usually
handled by other members of an outpatient practice team. Also, at McLeod I work in an efficient,
quality-driven inpatient system. It is
no surprise why many of my resident colleagues choose hospital medicine.
Yet, I am planning a career in person-centered outpatient care. Because of a trial experience of integrated behavioral
care with a psychology graduate student from Francis Marion University, I have a
renewed vision for what this career could be.
Over the course of approximately four months, I had
available collaboration – by text or phone call – with an in-house behavioral
health consultant John Schwartz, MS.
While his office was on the other side of the clinic, he was usually
available within a few minutes and would either join me in the clinic room with
the patient or meet me outside of the room and then go join the patient.
At least 25 patients had the experience of seeing both of us
within one clinic visit. Together, I was able to commit my first patient with
suicidal tendencies and coordinate resources for my first child with autism;
provide training on parenting, coping with grief, pain management, sleep
hygiene, relaxation techniques, alcohol and smoking cessation; and coach
patients on communication skills. Additionally,
several patients returned for follow-up appointments with Mr. Schwartz.
I was able to connect my patients with behavioral health
resources while I gained a better perspective on the health priorities of my
patients. Their health care was better
coordinated, they were better educated on their conditions, and they
experienced less stigma about their behavioral health. Not only was Mr. Schwartz on my “team,” the
patient also had a more complete team. We
conducted “adaptive problem solving” for barriers to my provision of behavioral
health care.[i]
The case for integrated behavioral health care is strong: “when
treated in harmony with behavioral health, chronic physical health improves
significantly, along with patient satisfaction” and “67% of persons with a
behavioral health disorder do not get treatment.” In my experience true
integrated care both furthers the Triple Aim (better health, better health
care, lower cost), and increases job satisfaction.[ii]
Because of administrative and payment barriers, it is
unlikely that psychology students will continue to be a part of my residency
experience. Nevertheless, learning and
serving together with John Schwartz has been an honor and an encouragement to
my future career in outpatient medicine.
I want to collaborate with a behavioral health consultant, not just refer
or co-locate. I hope that other
residents have a similar experience before they decline the opportunity of
outpatient practice.
For more information on South Carolina Family Medicine
Residency Training Programs or to Contact Dr. Hoyle, please contact Kristin
Cochran at cochrak@musc.edu.
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