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Mind and body: Consults are easier when they're close by

Seeing a benefit to patient care, some primary care physicians are bringing mental health experts into their practices.

By Myrle Croasdale, amednews staff. Feb. 13, 2006.

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Getting a psychiatric consultation or therapist appointment for her patients is simple for Kentucky internist Margaret Altman, MD. She walks down the hall to the Caritas Peace Counseling Center, which has these experts on staff.

"It's something that every primary care office needs," said Dr. Altman, who practices with Jefferson Internal Medicine in Louisville. "Either in your office or across the hall, you need someone you can refer to and get patients in to see in a timely fashion."

Physicians are more aware of mental health issues that warrant treatment, physician leaders say. At the same time, they are finding it more difficult to get timely psychiatric consultations. To speed the process and ease the stigma of getting mental health treatment, some physicians are bringing psychiatrists, psychologists and licensed social workers into their offices. Or, as in the case of Dr. Altman, physicians are forming relationships with mental health professionals in the same building.

"A lot of times, I'll walk down the hall with a chart and make the appointment myself," Dr. Altman said. "Once in a while, I will have one of the therapists who's free come back with me and see the person in my exam room."

If patients are particularly upset, Dr. Altman even will walk them down and introduce them to the therapist.

Although there are no data on how many primary care physicians have a behavioral health professional in the office, Russ Newman, PhD, executive director of the American Psychological Assn., believes the practice is increasing.