Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2009

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

DNP

College

School of Nursing

Department

Not Listed

Committee Chair

Susan McCrone.

Abstract

The trend towards integrated behavioral health and primary care services has been supported by the literature. To meet the growing demand for such services, one rural primary care clinic initiated and evaluated a pilot program increasing the number of behavioral health providers. One additional counselor was hired for six hours a week for twelve weeks. The aim of the evaluation was to determine if there was an increase in availability of services, improved communication about referred patients among providers, and increased satisfaction among patients. While outcomes were not statistically significant, positive changes were noted in all areas. The implementation was hampered by budgetary constraints, hiring freezes and space limitations. The evaluation of the pilot supports expansion of integrated services in the clinic.

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