Topic Briefs | The Academy

The AHRQ Academy and the National Integrated Academy Council (NIAC) develops topic briefs to address significant topics as they emerge or take on particular interest for those working in integrated behavioral health in primary and ambulatory care settings. We recognize that it is important to provide timely information in a succinct format that also links the user to additional information and resources. NIAC members and external experts develop these briefs with support from Academy staff.

How Community Engagement Can Support Whole-Person Primary Care

This brief presents four case studies illustrating how primary care practices can effectively engage with their communities to support whole-person care.

The Role of Behavioral-Developmental Health Screening and Response for Children Ages 0-5 in Pediatric Primary Care

This brief is intended to help pediatric and family medicine care teams adopt measures to better support the needs of children ages 0-5 and their families. It defines behavioral-developmental health screening and response, outlines its benefits, and provides strategies for implementing it in pediatric and family medicine practices for children ages 0-5.

The Role of Low-Threshold Treatment for Patients with OUD in Primary Care

This brief provides an overview of what constitutes low-threshold treatment for patients with OUD, the state of the evidence and patient perspectives on low-threshold OUD treatment, and key steps and strategies for providing low-threshold treatment for patients with OUD in primary care settings.

Potential Usefulness of Apps and Other Digital Technologies for Improving Access to Behavioral Health in Primary Care

The ability of apps and other digital technologies to connect people and information across time and location makes them a potentially valuable support to efforts to integrate behavioral health and primary care. These developments have been spurred by restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and by the accumulation of evidence for the acceptability and effectiveness of selected technology-assisted approaches to treatment and recovery support.

Health Equity and Behavioral Health Integration

A brief overview of the role of behavioral health integration in reducing disparities in health and healthcare, and shares practical strategies and resources for ensuring integrated practices are advancing health equity.

Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Behavioral Health Integration

Perinatal behavioral health conditions include mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) during pregnancy and the postpartum period (up to 12 months after delivery).

The Role of Primary Care and Integrated Behavioral Health in Polysubstance Use

A brief overview of the available research on addressing polysubstance use in a primary care setting with a focus on leveraging an integrated behavioral health team. Polysubstance use is known to impact patients physically and mentally in numerous ways and is often found in primary care patients who are being treated for co-occurring mental disorder such as opioid use disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and others.

Stimulant Use Disorders and Behavioral Health Integration

Stimulant use disorders are substance use disorders (SUDs) that involve cocaine, methamphetamine, and other amphetamine-type stimulants (e.g., MDMA or prescription stimulants).

COVID-19

COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reached pandemic status early in 2020 and has contributed to a behavioral health crisis.

Telehealth and Behavioral Health Integration

Telehealth technology can support screening, assessment, treatment, management, and continuing care for mental health and substance use disorders. Learn how primary care practices can use telehealth to implement integrated behavioral health care.