TY - JOUR
AU - Y. P. Chang
AU - S. Casucci
AU - N. Roma
AU - K. Dermen
AU - C. Barrick
A1 - 
AB - Integrating behavioral health into primary care can increase patient access to treatments for behavioral health disorders, especially in rural areas. The first step of integrated care implementations is the need to identify at-risk patients and effectively communicate patient screening results to the care team. The use of technology can facilitate patient screening and incorporate screening data into electronic health records. This paper describes the development of a tablet-based screening system to facilitate behavioral health integration in a rural primary care clinic, discusses the preliminary impact of digital screening on workflows, and provides recommendations for the use of technology for screening. A tablet-based assessment was developed to screen patients for behavioral health concerns and was implemented within a rural primary care clinic. The system was created using the Visual Signature Capture system, which integrates directly with the electronic health record. Following the initial assessment, patients are screened as frequently as every 30 days with a mini-screen assessment, consisting of multiple screening tools for mental health and substance use. The tablet-based screening system had a positive impact on clinician workflows and the overall effectiveness of clinic operations. This system supports providers in addressing the behavioral health needs of patients that often go unrecognized in primary care.
AD - Author Affiliations: School of Nursing (Dr Chang, Ms Roma, and Dr Barrick), Department of Industrial Engineering (Dr Casucci), and Department of Psychiatry (Dr Dermen), University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.
BT - Computers, informatics, nursing : CIN
C5 - Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities; HIT & Telehealth
CY - United States
DO - 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000686
JF - Computers, informatics, nursing : CIN
LA - eng
M1 - Journal Article
N2 - Integrating behavioral health into primary care can increase patient access to treatments for behavioral health disorders, especially in rural areas. The first step of integrated care implementations is the need to identify at-risk patients and effectively communicate patient screening results to the care team. The use of technology can facilitate patient screening and incorporate screening data into electronic health records. This paper describes the development of a tablet-based screening system to facilitate behavioral health integration in a rural primary care clinic, discusses the preliminary impact of digital screening on workflows, and provides recommendations for the use of technology for screening. A tablet-based assessment was developed to screen patients for behavioral health concerns and was implemented within a rural primary care clinic. The system was created using the Visual Signature Capture system, which integrates directly with the electronic health record. Following the initial assessment, patients are screened as frequently as every 30 days with a mini-screen assessment, consisting of multiple screening tools for mental health and substance use. The tablet-based screening system had a positive impact on clinician workflows and the overall effectiveness of clinic operations. This system supports providers in addressing the behavioral health needs of patients that often go unrecognized in primary care.
PP - United States
PY - 2020
SN - 1538-9774; 1538-2931
T1 - Engaging Patients in Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care: A Technology-Based System to Facilitate Behavioral Health Screening for Patients in Rural and Underserved Areas
T2 - Computers, informatics, nursing : CIN
TI - Engaging Patients in Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care: A Technology-Based System to Facilitate Behavioral Health Screening for Patients in Rural and Underserved Areas
U1 - Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities; HIT & Telehealth
U2 - 33136612
U3 - 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000686
VO - 1538-9774; 1538-2931
Y1 - 2020
Y2 - Oct 30
ER -